Apparatuses, methods, and computer programs for displaying information on vehicles

ABSTRACT

A system for publicly displaying messages includes elements carried by an automotive vehicle. In some embodiments the vehicle carries a publicly visible electronic display; a sensor for sensing the brightness of light in the vicinity of the display; and illumination varying circuitry for varying the brightness of light generated by the display in response to brightness detected by the sensor. In some embodiments the vehicles carries a publicly visible display formed by ganging together a plurality of displays, each having at least 640×480 pixels; and video drive circuitry for causing images to be shown on the ganged display with different portions of individual images being shown on each of the individual displays. In some embodiments the vehicle has an automotive electrical system and carries a publicly visible high-bright display, capable of providing over 1000 NITS illumination and having 640 by 480 or greater pixel resolution; and video drive circuitry causing images to be shown on the display. In some embodiments the vehicle carries a publicly visible electronic display and a computer. The computer has video drive circuitry for causing images to be shown on the display, a memory device capable of storing representations of animated display images represented in vector-based form; and programming for enabling the computer to generate animated images from the vector-based animation representations. In some embodiments the vehicle receives commands and/or information controlling what it is to display via a wireless transceiver.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to the following application listed in thissection. It is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority under 35U.S.C. §119(e) from the following co-pending U.S. patent applications:

-   -   Non-Provisional application 09/618,862 filled by Semyon Dukach        et al. on Jul. 18, 2000, entiltled “Apparatuses, Methods, And        Computer Programs For Displaying Information On Mobile Signs;    -   Provisional Application 60/226,000 filed by Semyon Dukach et al.        on Aug. 16, 2000, entitled “Apparatuses, Methods, and Computer        Program For Displaying Information On Signs”;    -   provisional application 60/237,238 filed by Leonid Fridman et al        on Oct. 2, 2000, entitled “Apparatuses, Methods, and Computer        Program For Displaying Information On Signs”;    -   provisional application 60/238,232 filed by Leonid Fridman et al        on Oct. 2, 2000, entitled “Apparatuses, Methods, and Computer        Program For Displaying Information On Signs”; and    -   PCT patent application filed with the USPTO by Semyon Dukach on        Dec. 15, 2000, entitled “Apparatuses, Methods, and Computer        Program For Displaying Information On Signs”, which PCT        application designated the United States of America

All of these related applications are hereby incorporated by referencein their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for displaying information tothe public.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Communication of information to the public is a major industry. One ofthe major means of such communications is by publicly visible signs,including advertising signs. Signs have been in use for centuries, andhave performed a valuable service of informing consumers about choicesthat are available to them. But advances in technology have madetraditional signs seem somewhat out of date.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,060,993 issued to Eyal Cohen (the “Cohen Patent”)discloses one possible system for displaying messages in advertisementson mobile signs, such as those placed on the tops of motor vehicles suchas taxis. In this system a geographic area is divided up into separatezones and when a mobile unit makes a transition from one zone intoanother the controller located on the mobile unit determines when it hasmade such a transition based on a positioning system within the mobileunit, on a series of geographic zone definitions which it stores in itsmemory, and on a schedule indicating which messages are to be shown inwhich zones at which times. The Cohen patent is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide for more flexible,effective, and/or profitable usage of signs.

According to one aspect of the invention, a system for publiclydisplaying messages comprises an automotive vehicle and the followingelements carried by the vehicle: a publicly visible electronic display(i.e., a display which can easily be seen by people external to thedisplay); a sensor for sensing the brightness of light in the vicinityof the display; and illumination varying circuitry for varying thebrightness of light generated by the display in response to brightnessdetected by the sensor.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the display is abacklit display illuminated by a backlight and the illumination varyingcircuitry varies the brightness of the backlight. The display can be ahigh bright backlit displays, by which we mean a displays having anillumination of over s over 1000 NITs, where one NIT is one candella persquare meter of surface radiation. In some embodiments the backlitdisplay is a transreflective display which can be lit either byreflected light or by backlighting, and the degree to which the displayis lit by backlighting is controlled by the illumination varyingcircuitry.

In some embodiments the vehicle carries at least two of the publiclyvisible displays, and each display has an associated light sensor andillumination varying circuitry for varying the generated brightness ofeach display in response to the brightness detected by its associatedlight sensor. In some such multiple-display embodiments each displays islit both by light incident upon display and by light generated bydisplay under control of the illumination varying circuitry. Examples ofsuch displays include transreflective displays, which can pass eithergenerated or reflected light through a display's light valve to brightenits image, as well as displays that generate an images by spatiallyvarying reflective shade or color, which can be light by either ambientor generated light. The illumination generated for each display can becontrolled as a function of the amount of light falling on itsassociated light sensor, either dependently or independently of theamount of light generated for other displays and/or the amount of lightfalling on other the sensors associated with the position of otherdisplays.

According to another aspect of the invention a system for publiclydisplaying messages comprises an automotive vehicle carrying thefollowing elements: a publicly visible display formed by gangingtogether a plurality of individual electronic displays, each having atleast a resolution of 640×480 pixels; and video drive circuitry forgenerating signals to cause images to be shown on the ganged display,with different portions of individual images being shown on each of theindividual displays.

In some such ganged display embodiments, the individual display are highbright backlit displays having over 1000 NITs of illumination. In somesuch embodiments a light sensor senses external light on the display andcircuitry varies brightness of the entire ganged display in response tothe sensor. This system includes these elements carried by the vehicle:a sensor for sensing the brightness of light in vicinity of the gangeddisplay and illumination varying circuitry for varying the brightness ofthe entire ganged display as a unit in response to brightness detectedby the sensor.

In some such ganged display embodiments, there are at least two of suchganged displays and

the video drive circuitry is capable of driving separate images on eachganged display.

According to another aspect of the invention, a system for publiclydisplaying messages comprising of an automotive vehicle having anautomotive electrical system and also the following elements carried bythe vehicle: a publicly visible high-bright display, capable ofproviding over 1000 NITS illumination and having 640 by 480 or greaterpixel resolution; and video drive circuitry for generating signals tocause images to be shown on the display.

In some such high-bright embodiments, the vehicle includes a computerand a radio connected to provide received digital data to the computer.The computer is programmed to generate animated images from vector-basedanimation files received over the radio.

In some such high-bright embodiments, the display is a backlit displayhaving a light filter to provide an electronically controlled spatialpattern of variable opacity and one or more backlights to provideillumination behind the light filter. In some such embodiments thedisplay is an LCD display and the light filter is a liquid crystal lightfilter. In some embodiments the display is a transreflective displaythat can be lit by reflected light and/or by backlighting.

According to another aspect of the invention, a mobile display systemfor publicly showing messages includes an automotive vehicle whichcarries a publicly visible electronic display and a computer. Thecomputer has: video drive circuitry for generating signals to causeimages to be shown on the display, a memory device capable of storingrepresentations of animated display images represented in vector-basedform; and programming for enabling the computer to generated animatedimages from the vector-based animation representations. When a memorydevice is referred to in this specification, it should be understoodthan it can include RAM, ROM, flash or other non-volatile memory, harddisk, CD or DVD ROM, including recordable and/or rewritable CD or DVDROM, and other memory storage devices now or hereafter known.

In some embodiments, the system includes a radio for conveying digitalinformation to the computer about which messages the computer shouldcause to be shown on the display, and information including thevector-based animation representations of such messages.

According to one aspect of the invention a system for publiclydisplaying messages comprise an automotive vehicle having an automotiveelectrical system including an ignition system and a generator forgenerating electricity when the vehicles ignition system is on. Thevehicle further includes a publicly visible electronic display; videodrive circuitry for generating signals to cause images to be shown onthe display; and display-power circuitry. The display-power circuitryreceives power from the vehicle's automotive electrical system, suppliesit to the display, and automatically reduces the power supplied to thedisplay after the vehicle's ignition is turned off.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the display-powercircuitry automatically increases power to the display after thevehicle's ignition is turned back on, if the power to the display hasbeen reduced after the vehicle's ignition was last turned off.

In some embodiments the video drive circuitry includes a computer forcontrolling the images generated on the display and the display-powercircuitry can automatically reduce the poser to the display whether ornot the computer is operating. In some such embodiments the video drivecircuitry includes a computer for controlling the images generated onthe display and the display-power circuitry substantially reduces thepower supplied to the display without turning off the computer. Laterthe computer can be shut down and then the power to it can be cut. Insome such embodiments the vehicle further including circuitry whichprovides power to the computer to turn it back on once the ignition isturned back on.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention the display is abacklit display including one or more backlights to illuminate it, andthe display-power circuitry reduces power to the backlights. In somesuch backlit embodiments the backlit display is a high-bright displayhaving backlights capable of providing at least 1000 NITS ofillumination before the display-power circuitry reduces power to it. Insome embodiments these high bright displays will be LCD displays, but inother embodiments they can include any other types of displays havingover 1000 NITs of illumination. In some backlit embodiments the backlitdisplay is a transreflective display which can be lit either byreflected light and/or by backlighting. In some e backlit embodiments,the display-power circuitry makes a first reduction in power at a firsttime after the ignition is shut off which does not cut off allilluminating power to the backlight. In some such embodiments, thedisplay-power circuitry makes a second reduction in power at a secondtime, later than the first time, after the ignition is shut off, whichturns the backlights off.

According to another aspect of the invention a system for publiclydisplaying messages comprises an automotive vehicle having the followingelements: a publicly visible electronic display; a computer containingprogramming for causing various messages to be shown on that display; aninput device which can be used by an occupant of the vehicle to generateone or more emergency signals; and a connection for supplying the one ormore emergency signals to the computer. The computer containsprogramming to cause it to respond to the generation of an emergencysignal by causing an emergency message to be shown on the vehicle'sdisplay.

Some embodiments of this emergency signal aspect of the inventionfurther including a radio connected for conveying digital information tothe computer about which messages it should cause to be shown on thedisplay and for communicating information from the computer to a remoteelectronic system; and the computer further contains programming tocause it to respond to the generation of an emergency signal by causingan emergency message to be sent by the radio to the remote electronicsystem. In some such embodiments, the input device is a switch whichgenerates a single emergency signal; and the computer is programmed torespond to the single emergency signal by causing both the emergencymessage to be shown on the display and the emergency message to be sentby the radio.

According to one aspect of the invention a rooftop unit, for beingcarried on the roof of an automotive vehicle is provided. The rooftopunit includes an electronic display having at least 640×480 pixelresolution; a computer, having a video interface, for controlling theimages shown on the display; and an electrical connection for receivingpower from the electrical system of the vehicle.

Some such rooftop units include a radio for conveying digitalinformation to the computer about which messages it should cause to beshown on the display. Some rooftop units include a GPS device connectedto the computer, for providing the computer information about thelocation of the vehicle, and the computer is programmed to use thelocation information, in conjunction with information received over theradio, in determining which messages to show on the display.

In some rooftop units, the computer contains programming to generateanimated bitmapped images on the display from vector based animationrepresentations. The rooftop unit can include a radio for conveyingdigital data to the computer; and the computer is programmed to generatethe animated images from vector-based animation data received over theradio. The rooftop unit can also include a memory device; and thecomputer can include programming for enabling it to generate theanimated image from vector-based animation files stored on the massstorage device.

In some rooftop units include an enclosure in which the display andcomputer are enclosed and mountings for suspending the enclosure in aposition spaced above the roof of the vehicle. These mounting includesvibration isolators, for at least partially isolating the enclosure fromvibration of the vehicle roof.

In some embodiments the enclosure includes top, side, and bottomexternal surfaces and is substantially waterproof over the top and sidessurfaces, with holes for ventilation in the bottom surface, which isspaced above the vehicle roof for ventilation. In such embodiments oneor more ventilation fans can be placed near one or more of theventilation holes. The enclosure can include a heat sensor for measuringthe temperature inside the enclosure and circuitry for controlling theoperation of the fans as a function of the temperature measured by theheat sensor.

In some embodiments the external surfaces of the enclosure extends downbelow the portion of enclosure's bottom surface containing theventilation holes on at least substantially three sides, to reduce thetendency of rain water to enter the ventilation holes

In some embodiments the rooftop unit includes a radio for conveyingdigital information to the computer about which messages it should causeto be shown on the display and the radio is enclosed in the unit'senclosure. Some such embodiments the enclosure also holds a geographiclocation system, such as but not limited to a GPS system, for providingthe computer information about the location of the vehicle; and theunit's computer is programmed to use the geographic locationinformation, in conjunction with information received over the radio, indetermining which messages to show on the unit's display.

Some rooftop unit further include a connection for receiving an inputfrom an emergency switch that can be operated by an occupant of thevehicle and the unit's computer contains programming to cause it torespond to operation of the emergency switch by causing a predefinedemergency message to be shown on the display. Some such embodimentsfurther include a radio for conveying digital information to thecomputer about which messages it should cause to be shown on the displayand for communicating information from the computer to a remoteelectronic system, and the unit's computer further contains programmingto cause it to respond to operation of the emergency switch by causing apredefined emergency message to be sent by the radio to the remoteelectronic system.

According to another aspect of the invention a vehicle display unit forbeing carried on an automotive vehicle is provided. This unit could bedesigned for mounting on a roof, like the rooftop unit described above,or it could be mounted in other locations on or in a vehicle, such as,for example, on the side of a truck or bus. The vehicle display unitincludes the following: an electronic display; display drive circuitryfor controlling the images shown on the display; an electricalconnection for receiving power from the electrical system of thevehicle; an enclosure around the display and the display drive circuitryhaving ventilation openings; and a ventilation fan located near one ofthe ventilation openings for moving cooling air through the enclosure.

Some such vehicle display units further include a heat sensor formeasuring the temperature inside the enclosure; and circuitry forcontrolling the operation of the fan as a function of the temperaturemeasured by the heat sensor.

In some such display units the unit's display includes a top, a frontside, which is the display surface on which displayed information is tobe viewed, and a back side facing in the opposite direction from thefront side. In some such units the enclosure includes a cover over boththe top and the front and back sides of the display, and one or morefans are positioned to move air in the enclosure up one of the sides,across the top, and down the opposite side. In some such embodiments across-flow fan is used to propel air up the one side of the display. Inmany embodiments the enclosure includes a transparent surface, which canbe made for example of a material such as Lexan (made by GeneralElectric Company) that extends over and is generally parallel to thedisplay surface, so as to enable images generated by the display to beviewed from outside the enclosure. In many such embodiments thetransparent surface has a mat finish to reduce glare.

In some of the vehicle display units having an enclosure over the sidesand top of their display unit, the enclosure includes top, side, andbottom external surfaces, is substantially waterproof over the top andside surfaces, has holes for ventilation in the bottom surface; and hasone or more ventilation fans placed near one or more of the ventilationholes. In some such embodiments one of the fans is positioned to suckair into one of the ventilation holes in the bottom of the enclosure;and a filter is positioned to filter water and dirt out of the airbefore it reaches the fan. Display units having the substantiallywaterproof top and side enclosure surfaces can further include an airverticalizing grating shaped to verticalize air flow in the verticaldirection. Such a grating can be located over one of the unit'sventilation holes to increase the verticality of air sucked up into thehole, so as to reduce the amount of rain which will enter the hole. Thishas the benefit of reducing the amount of rain water which will enterthe unit, since rain water is often traveling with horizontal componentof motion relative to a moving motor vehicle. Display units having thesubstantially waterproof top and side enclosure surfaces can furtherhave a portion of its enclosure surface extend down below the portion ofthe enclosures bottom surface containing the ventilation holes on atleast substantially three sides. This can be done to reduce the tendencyof rain water to enter the ventilation holes

Some vehicle display units further include a heater positioned to heatthe interior of the enclosure; a heat sensor for measuring thetemperature inside the enclosure; and circuitry for controlling theoperation of the heater as a function of the temperature measured by theheat sensor.

According to another aspect of the invention a rooftop unit for beingcarried on the roof of an automotive vehicle is provided. The rooftopunit includes three electronic displays and display drive circuitry fordriving images on each such display. The three displays are arranged ina triangle having a first corner near the front of the rooftop unit, andtwo corners nearer the back of the rooftop unit. Two of the displays areside displays, which form the sides of the triangle which join at thefront corner, each of which is position to be visible from the front andone side of the vehicle. The third display is a back display, whichforms the third side of the triangle and is positioned to be visiblefrom the behind the vehicle.

In some such three-display rooftop units the drive circuitry is capableof driving different images on the side displays than are driven on theback display. In some such units the drive circuitry is capable ofdriving both side displays with the same video output.

According to another aspect of the invention a rooftop unit for beingcarried on the roof of an automotive vehicle is provided. The rooftopunit includes an electronic display; display drive circuitry for drivingimages on the display; an enclosure in which the display and drivecircuitry are enclosed; one or more roof protectors having a total ofover two square feet of weight distributing surface shaped to fit thethree dimensional curved surface of the roof of a vehicle on which therooftop unit it is to be mounted; and a plurality of mountings supportedby the one or more roof protectors for suspending the enclosure in aposition spaced above the roof, which mounting includes vibrationisolators, for at least partially isolating the enclosure from vibrationof the vehicle roof.

In some embodiments a layer of material is mounted between the one ormore roof protector to reduce the tendency of the roof protector toscratch the roof of any vehicle it is on.

In some embodiments the mountings include a plurality of rigid mountingelements including shafts extending upward from the roof protectors andrigid mounting surfaces above and below the shaft. In such embodimentsthe enclosure includes a mounting hole for receiving each shaft and thevibration isolators include elastic material placed around each shaftbelow, above, and in each such mounting hole, so that the enclosure haselastic material to isolated it from the rigid mounting elements in eachof three dimensions.

According to one aspect of the invention a system for publiclydisplaying messages is provided. The system includes an automotivevehicle carrying a publicly visible electronic display; and a computer,having a video interface, for controlling the images shown on thedisplay; and a radio for conveying digital information to and from thecomputer including information about which messages it should cause tobe shown on the display. The computer includes programming defining anoperating system having a set of commands and programming to enable aremote system to have remote access to commands of the operating systemover the radio.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the system includes a plurality ofsuch mobile systems, each including one of the automotive vehiclescarrying at least the display, the computer, and the radio. The systemfurther including a central system which has one or more computersystems and one or more radios connected to the central system computersto enable them to wirelessly communicate with the computers on themobile systems through the radios on those mobile systems. The computersof the central system include programming for causing the central systemto communicate data to the mobile systems controlling what messages aredisplayed on the mobile systems; and programming for enabling thecomputers of the central system to obtain remote access of one or morethe computers on the mobile systems.

According to another aspect of the invention a system for publiclydisplaying messages is provided which comprises an automotive vehiclecarrying to following elements: a publicly visible electronic display; acomputer, having a video interface, for controlling the images shown onthe display; and a radio for conveying to and from the computer digitalinformation, including information about which messages it should causeto be shown on the display, and for transmitting to remote computersinformation supplied to it by the vehicle's computer. The vehicle'scomputer includes programming enabling it to communicate, over theradio, to a remote computer information about the status of thecomputer.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention there are aplurality of such mobile systems and the system further includes acentral system. The central system includes one or more computer systemsand one or more radios connected to the central system computers so asto enable them to wirelessly communicate with the computers on themobile systems through the radios on those mobile systems. The computersof the central system include programming for causing the central systemto communicate data to the mobile systems controlling what messages aredisplayed on the mobile systems; and programming enabling the computersof the central system to request the information about the status of thecomputer of a given mobile system.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention the programming in amobile unit's computer causes that computer to initiate a communicationover the radio about the computer's status in response to the detectionby the computer one or more conditions in its status. This can includesuch changes in status as a running low on space for storage formessages, not having a message stored on the mobile which the mobileunit is to display, when the mobile unit is about to shut down, when itfirst is booted up, etc.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention the mobile unit'scomputer's video interface includes screen memory used to drive thedisplay, and the information about the status of the computer includesinformation about the data stored in the screen memory.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention a mobile unit'scomputer includes a mass storage device; and the information about thestatus of the computer includes information about how full the massstorage device is.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention a mobile unit'scomputer includes random access memory; and the information about thestatus of the computer includes information about how much random accessmemory is in the machine.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention a mobile unit'scomputer includes random access memory; and the information about thestatus of the computer includes information about how much random accessmemory in the machine is free.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention a mobile unit'scomputer includes one or more central processing units; and theinformation about the status of the computer includes information abouthow busy the one or more central processing units have been. Indifferent embodiments this information can be provided for one or moredifferent periods, such as CPU loading over the last second, last 5seconds, last minute, or last 5 minutes.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention the informationabout the status of a mobile unit's computer includes information abouthow much traffic there has been over its associated radio.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention a mobile unit'scomputer include one or more memory devices, for storing displaymessages which can be displayed by the computer on the display; and theinformation about the status of the computer includes information aboutwhat display messages are stored on the memory devices. A mobile unit'sone or more memory devices can include RAM, ROM, flash or othernon-volatile memory, hard disk, CD or DVD ROM, including recordableand/or rewritable CD or DVD ROM, and other know memory storage devices

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention a mobile unit'scomputer includes a network interface which uses the IP protocol to sendand receive data packets over the radio. In such embodiments theinformation about the status of the mobile unit's computer includesinformation about the IP address of the network interface.

According to another aspect of the invention a mobile display system forpublicly displaying messages is provided which comprises an automotivevehicle carrying the following elements: a publicly visible electronicdisplay; a computer, having a video interface, for controlling theimages shown on the display; and a radio for conveying digitalinformation to and from the computer, including information about whichmessages it should cause to be shown on the display. The computer isprovided with programming enabling it to communicate over the radio to aremote computer system real time information about the status of themobile display unit.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention the computer systemcontains programming to select which of a plurality of messages areshown on the display at a given time: and the real time informationindicates which message is currently being shown on the display.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention the real-timeinformation indicates the current speed of the vehicle.

According to another aspect of the invention mobile display systemcomprises an automotive vehicle carrying: a publicly visible electronicdisplay; a computer, having a video interface, for controlling theimages shown on the display; a radio connected to the computer forconveying digital information to and from the computer, includinginformation about which messages it should cause to be shown on thedisplay.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the mobile systemfurther includes a sensor for providing a measurement of the temperatureinside one of the enclosures; a connection for communicating themeasurement to the computer; and programming enabling the computer tocommunicate over the radio to a remote computer system information aboutthe temperature measurement.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the mobile systemfurther includes a light sensor for providing a measurement of theamount of light falling on the display from sources other than thedisplay itself; a connection for communicating the light measurement tothe computer; and programming enabling the computer to communicate overthe radio to a remote computer system information about the lightmeasurement.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the mobile systemfurther includes a connection for communicating to the computer anindication of the amount of light being emitted by the display andprogramming enabling the computer to communicate over the radio to aremote computer system information about the amount of light beingemitted. The display can be a backlit display having a light filter andbacklight to provide illumination for the light filter; and theinformation about the amount of light being emitted includes informationabout the amount of power being supplied to the backlight.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the mobile systemfurther includes a connection for communicating to the computer anindication of whether the ignition system is on or off, and programmingenabling the computer to communicate over the radio to a remote computersystem an indication of whether the ignition system is on or off.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the radio includeselectronics for generating an indication of the strength of the radiofrequency signal which is being received by that radio; the mobileunit's computer receives the signal strength indication; and thecomputer is provided with programming enabling it to communicate overthe radio to a remote computer system information about the signalstrength indication.

According to one aspect of the invention a method of displaying messagesis provided which includes: carrying a least two publicly visibleelectronic display at different positions on a moving vehicle, each ofwhich is visible from a different external position relative to thevehicle. The method includes selecting different messages for each ofthe two different displays as a function of differences between viewerswho are likely to see the different displays because of their differentposition with respect to the vehicle.

The difference between viewers used to make such a selection can includedifferences in who the people likely to see the different display areand/or differences in the current activity, location, and relativeposition and/or speed of likely viewers of the different displays.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention the multipledisplays are carried on the vehicle so that one of them is a sidedisplay that can better be seen from a position to the side of thevehicle, and one of them is a back display that can better seen from aposition behind the vehicle.

In some such side-and-back-display embodiments the selecting ofdifferent messages for each of the different displays includes selectingfor showing on the side display messages considered more appropriate forviewing by pedestrians, and selecting for showing on the back displaymessages considered more appropriate for viewing by drivers of vehiclesbehind the vehicle carrying the the displays. The selection of messagesfor showing on the side and back displays can be a function,respectively, of demographic information about pedestrians likely to seethe side display and demographic information about drivers likely to seethe back display.

As used in this specification the word demographic means information asto overall population, and information as to numbers of different typesof people, including virtually any classification of types of peoplewhich are useful to those seeking to target messages to desiredaudiences, including sex, age, income, racial or ethnic background,employment type, location of residence, life style, sexual preference,religion, number of children, dress, prior purchasing information, andbehavioral information. We also define demographic information toinclude information about the current activity, current location, orcurrent context, including: proximity to locations of given types suchas given types of stores, businesses, public places, etc; weather; ortime of day. We also define demographic to define any other informationabout people which may be considered useful in marketing products,services, political candidates or view, and the ideas.

In some such side-and-back-display embodiments the selecting ofdifferent messages for each of the different displays includes selectingmessages more appropriate for rapid viewing on the side display andselecting messages more appropriate for longer viewing on the backdisplay.

Some embodiments of this aspect of the invention need not be limited tovehicles having combinations of side and back displays. In suchembodiments the selecting of different messages for each of thedifferently positioned displays includes making such selection as afunction of demographic information about the different populations ofviewers likely to see messages displayed from each of the differentdisplays as a function of their different positions relative to thevehicle. In some such embodiments the demographic information about thedifferent populations likely to see the different displays varies foreach of the displays for each of a plurality of different geographicallocations.

Some embodiments of this aspect of the invention further includeproviding an on-line site from which remote computers can purchasingover a computer network the right to have messages shown on displays,including enabling on-line purchasers to separately select whether topurchase the right to have a message displayed on one or more displaysas a function of their position relative to the vehicle which carriesthem. Such methods include controlling what messages are shown on whichof the vehicle's displays as a function of the purchases made on theon-line site.

According to another aspect of the invention a system is provided forpublicly displaying messages which includes an automotive vehicle havingtwo publicly visible electronic displays, including a side display thatcan better be seen from a position to the side of the vehicle, and aback display that can better seen from a position behind the vehicle,and a computer, having one or more video interfaces, enabling it tocause separate images to be shown on each of the displays.

Some embodiments of this aspect of the invention include a plurality ofsuch mobile systems each carrying a communication interface connected totheir computer. These systems further include a central system which hasone or more computers; one or more communication interfaces connected tosuch computers; and programming in such computers. This programmingenables on-line purchasing over one or more of the central system'scommunication interfaces of the right to have messages shown on thedisplays of the mobile systems, including enabling on-line purchasers toseparately select whether to purchase the right to have a messagedisplayed on one or more side displays or on one or more back displays.The central system's programming also enables the central system tocommunicate data to one or more of the mobile systems to control whatmessages are displayed by the side and back displays of a mobile systemin response to on-line purchases.

In some such embodiments the communication interfaces of the mobilesystems and the central system which are used for communication betweenthe central system and the mobile systems are wireless communicationinterfaces, although in others they need not be.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention the computer carriedby a vehicle includes programming for receiving information about thevehicle's current location and for successively displaying the names ofdifferent cross streets near vehicle's current position on the vehicle'sback display as the vehicle moves.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects of the present invention will become moreevident upon reading the following description of the preferredembodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic overview of one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a simplified representation of a schedule which can be used bythe central system of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 tohelp determine which messages should be displayed by mobile units ineach of a plurality of geographic zones at each of a plurality of times;

FIGS. 3 through 6 provide, respectively, a side view, two perspectiveviews, and one top view of a mobile unit according to one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic overview of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention that uses a UHF transmitter to communicate the content ofdisplay messages to its mobile units;

FIGS. 8 is a schematic diagram of the multiple streams ofdisplay-message content that can be broadcast by the central system inthe embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a highly simplified pseudo-code description of the main loopperformed by the controller of the mobile units in some embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are schematic representations of two differentembodiments of the display-selection method that can be used by thepresent invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of a locator signal that can beused with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 13-15 are highly simplified pseudo code descriptions of daemonswhich can used by a mobile unit's controller to control the generationof locator signals, the transmission messages regarding the input ofintended vehicle destinations, and the setting of locator-signal-periodvalues, respectively;

FIG. 16 is a highly simplified pseudo code description of programmingexecuted by the processor of the central system to respond to thereceipt of locator signals from mobile units in some embodiments of theinvention; and

FIG. 17 is a highly simplified pseudo code description of programmingwhich can be used to cause the central system to generate billing.

FIG. 18 is a schematic representation of an display system according toone embodiment of the invention which controls the display messages onmobile, fixed, and portable displays, and which enables users,advertisers, and advertising sellers to access and interact with asystem over a computer network;

FIG. 19 is a schematic representation of the system shown in FIG. 18illustrated in a form more similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 7;

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a mobile unit according to one embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a schematic block diagram of a mobile unit designed for useas a taxicab according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 22 is a schematic block diagram of a non-mobile, or fixed, displayunit according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a pseudocode representation of the central system'sprogramming relating to its on-line site according to one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 24 is a pseudocode representation of the central system'sgeosynchrons selling programming according to one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 25 is a pseudocode representation of the central system'sgeosynchron display interface according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 26 is a pseudocode representation of the central system'sgeosynchron selection interface according to one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 27 is a schematic representation of the publicly definedapplication programmers' interface that the central system's provides toindependent programmers to enable them to write software to let remotecomputers to use the functionality of the central system underindependently written program control;

FIG. 28 is a representation of functions provided by the centralsystem's ad selling API in some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a pseudocode representation of the central system's personalmessage selling programming according to some embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 30 is a pseudocode representation of the central system's adresponse programming according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 31 is a pseudocode representation of the central system's locatorsignal response programming which is similar to the programming shown inFIG. 16 except that it responds to the identity, number, and/orcloseness of wireless units that are near a given mobile unit for whichit is determining the messages to be displayed;

FIG. 32 is similar to FIG. 31 except that in it the central systemresponds to information about the speed of a mobile unit in determiningwhat messages it should display;

FIG. 33 is a pseudocode description of programming contained in a mobileunit to make use of one or more cameras located on that mobile unit;

FIG. 34 is a pseudocode representation of programming used by thecentral system to make use of the cameras contained in the centralsystem's fixed and mobile units;

FIG. 35 is programming used by the central system to cause two or moreof its displays to perform a synchronized message display;

FIG. 36 is programming used by the central system to cause one of itsdisplays to display a location-varying message;

FIG. 37 is a pseudocode representation of programming on a mobile unitused in the display of a location-varying message of the type describedwith regard FIG. 36;

FIG. 38 is a pseudocode representation of programming that can be usedby a mobile unit to help it accomplish functions related to its use as ataxicab;

FIGS. 39A and 39B are pseudocode representations of programming used bythe central system to accomplish functions related to use of mobileunits as taxicabs;

FIGS. 40 and 41 are schematic representations of the functionality thatcan be performed by various embodiments of the invention in capturingand displaying information about traffic or weather, respectively;

FIGS. 42 and 43 are diagrams of components used in a car-top box toprovide some of the functionality necessary to convert a motor vehicleinto a mobile unit for use with many embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 44 is a diagram illustrating the field of view that a car-top box,such as that shown in FIGS. 42 and 43 as well as in FIGS. 3 through 6,provides;

FIGS. 45 and 46 are schematic block diagrams of the circuitry of many ofthe components shown in FIGS. 42 and 43;

FIGS. 47 through 50 illustrate an embodiment of the invention whichincludes both a relatively lower resolution text-oriented display, aswell as a higher resolution graphic display in one mobile unit;

FIGS. 51 through 55 illustrate a display device for use in a mobile unitaccording to some embodiments of the invention which is designed to usesunlight or other external illumination to backlight its display;

FIG. 56 is a fixed display that can be used in some embodiments of theinvention to enable sunlight or other external light to help backlightits display;

FIG. 57 is a pseudo code representation of programming which can be usedby the central system in embodiments of the invention which pay driversof mobile units as a function of the earnings from displays shown bytheir mobile unit; and

FIG. 58 illustrates some of the various types of non-commercialprogramming which can be used in some embodiments of the invention tohelp draw viewers' attention toward the displays of the invention'ssystem;

FIG. 59 is a schematic representation of one possible publicly definedapplication programmer's interface which the central system's canprovide to independent programmers to enable them to write software tolet display units use the functionality of the central system underindependently written program control;

FIG. 60 illustrates how one or more cameras can be associated with bothmobile and fixed display units for purposes of deriving images which canbe used to collect information about traffic, weather, and the potentialaudience for a display unit's messages; and

FIG. 61 illustrates how information form such cameras can be used todevelop demographic data as a function of both time and location.

FIG. 62 is a schematic representation of a multidimensional demographicdatabase for a given geographic area that includes separate demographicdata at the same location for pedestrians and for drivers;

FIG. 63 is a schematic representation of an aspect of the inventionwhich involves associating different values with the display of messagesat different locations and times and calculating a sum of such valuescorresponding to the locations and times through which one or morevehicles has traveled and using such a sum to charge an advertiser orcredit a vehicle operator;

FIG. 64 is a schematic representation of a system for controlling thedisplay of messages displayed on mobile display units as a function ofposition, in which multiple receivers are used to determine the locationof the mobile unit;

FIG. 65 is a highly simplified pseudo code representation of oneembodiment of programming in the central system used to support theautomatic message placement capability of the invention;

FIG. 66 is a highly simplified pseudo code representation of oneembodiment of programming contained within an individual display unitfor purposes of supporting the automatic message placement capability ofthe invention;

FIG. 67 is a side view of one embodiment of a rooftop unit for carryinga mobile unit's displays and electronics on the roof of a motor vehicle;

FIG. 68 shows the components of the rooftop unit shown in FIG. 67 in anexploded view;

FIG. 69 is a top view of the top cover of the rooftop box shown in FIGS.67 and 68;

FIG. 71 is a top view of the metal base plate shown from the side inFIG. 68;

FIG. 72 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the rooftop box shownin FIGS. 67 and 68 for the purpose of illustrating the ventilationwithin that box;

FIG. 73 is a top view of the roof protector of the rooftop unit shown inFIGS. 67 and 68;

FIG. 74 is a cross-sectional view illustrating how the rooftop box androof protector shown in FIGS. 67 and 68 are mounted together;

FIG. 75 is a block diagram of some of the major electronic componentscontained within the roof top box shown in FIGS. 67 and 68;

FIG. 76 illustrates how the rooftop box shown in FIGS. 67 and 68 isconnected to the electrical system of the motor vehicle on which it ismounted;

FIG. 77 is a highly simplified pseudo code representation of the energyconservation scheme executed by the hardware and software of the rooftopbox shown in FIGS. 67 and 68;

FIG. 78 is a highly simplified pseudo code representation of programmingcontained within the rooftop box's computer for energy conservation,temperature control, and status reporting;

FIG. 79 is a highly simplified pseudo code representation of some ofprogramming contained on the central system for monitoring the status ofthe system's display units;

FIGS. 80, and 81 and 82, illustrates three different types of statusreports which can be generated by display units in response to requestsfrom the central system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 provides a schematic overview of a system 100 for displayinginformation on mobile signs according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. The system 100 includes a central system 102 and one or moremobile units 104 that are controlled by the central system. The centralsystem includes a processor 106 which includes memory 108 that storesprogramming to control its operation. The processor's memory alsoincludes geographic zone definitions 112 which define the geographiczones in which the system can display different messages. In differentimplementations geographic zones can be defined differently. In someembodiments they can correspond to zip code or census blocks. In otherembodiments they can correspond to the length of a given street along agiven block. In some embodiments, zone definitions will tend to remainrelatively fixed overtime. In other embodiments zone definitions couldbe redefined frequently, such as daily, or even hourly, to reflectdifferent geographic areas advertisers have an interest in displayingtheir advertisements in.

The central system's memory also includes a schedule 114.

FIG. 2 illustrates one possible embodiment of the schedule 114 in whichthe schedule takes the form of a database table comprised of rowscorresponding to record in the database and columns corresponding toindividual fields within the records. This table includes a zone column116 that defines the geographic zone of a given record 124 in the table.The table also includes a time column 118, which identifies the timerange during which a given record 124 is to apply. The table furtherincludes columns 120 and 122 that identify the display messages that areto be shown on the separately programmable displays of a given mobileunit in the zone and at the time indicated in the zone and time fieldsof the record 124 in which they occur. As those skilled in the computingarts will understand, in other embodiments of the invention the schedule114 can be a virtually any type of data structure capable of indicatingwhich display messages are to be shown by a mobile unit giveninformation that can include the zone in which it is currently located;the current time; the mobile unit's speed; the number and types ofdisplays which the mobile unit has; the number of the other mobile unitscurrently located in the same zone; the number of cumulative minutes themobile unit or other mobile units have already displayed a particularmessage (or other messages from the same or other advertisers) in one ormore relevant time periods, either in the current zone or in some largenumber of zones; and any other information which may be relevant to whatmessages might be desired on a given mobile unit, given its currentlocation.

As is implied by the paragraph above, in some embodiments of theinvention, the schedule takes into account how many times one or moremessages from a given group of messages have been shown within one ormore zones during one or more time periods by one or more mobile unitsin determining if a given message should be shown by a given mobile unitin a given zone. For example, with such a schedule an advertiser wouldbe able to instruct the system to “Show my message for a total of 1000minutes total in Wall Street area Monday-Friday 3-5 pm”. Anotheradvertiser might request that the system show a set of five differentmessages for a total of 5000 minutes in four different zones in which ithas stores during rush hour over a period of a month. In some suchsystems the scheduling will attempt to have the desired number ofminutes that are shown over a given amount of time distributedrelatively evenly across that time period.

As FIG. 1 shows, the central system's memory also includes billingrecords 126. These records indicate which display messages have beenshown at what zones at what times, so advertisers can be billedaccordingly. The billing records 126 can also include bills addressableto individual advertisers generated from such information.

The central system's memory also includes mobile unit location history128, which records information about the current and past location ofindividual mobile units. This information can be used to project thelikely travel of an individual mobile unit and, thus, allow such amobile unit to more efficiently cache display messages for thegeographic zones it is likely to travel in.

In different embodiments of the invention different types of displaymessages can be used. The display messages used with the invention canvary from simple text messages displayed on the low-resolutiontext-based displays, to high resolution still graphic images orhigh-resolution color animated or video messages. The messages can befixed length messages, similar to TV advertisements, which have a fixedduration, or they can be messages designed to be run continuously for avariable period of time, such as messages with a fixed image or messageswith a loop of moving images that is intended to be continuouslyrepeated. The content of the display messages can include not onlyadvertisements, but also other types of messages such as weather andtraffic reports (including local traffic reports, such as reports of howmany feet till the scene of a traffic jam or the detour), news, publicservice announcements, and information and entertainment programming.

The central memory also caches display message in a display-messagestorage 130. As is indicated in FIG. 1, this storage or cache area isused to store a plurality of individual display messages 132A through132N after they have been downloaded from the central system. Thesecached display messages can be used to increase the speed with whichmobile units can display selected display messages by preventing theneed for the mobile unit to download each such message at the time themobile unit is instructed to display it. Such caching also has thebenefit of decreasing the amount of communication traffic required bythe system, since it often enables messages which are shown multipletimes to be downloaded only once.

The central system shown in FIG. 1 further includes a wireless system134 for transmitting and receiving wireless messages to and fromindividual mobile units. The wireless system includes both a transmitter136 and a receiver 138. As will be understood by those skilled in thearts of radio-frequency communication, in many embodiments of theinvention, the transmitter and receiver of a wireless system willcommonly share many components. The wireless system 134 can be any sortof wireless transmitter currently known or hereinafter invented. In manyembodiments of the invention, however, the wireless system 134 will be acellular phone or a wireless data communication system. In suchembodiments, many of the components of the wireless system will be partof wireless systems provided by one or more third party phone companies.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 each of the mobile units 104 includesa controller 140; a first and second separately controllable display 142and 144, respectively; a global positioning system (“GPS”) 146, a speedsensor 148 capable of determining the speed of the mobile unit; adestination input device 150, such as a keyboard, enabling a user of themobile unit to input information defining a desired destination for themobile unit; and a wireless system 152 which includes a transmitter 154and a receiver 156 communicating with the central system 102. Thecontroller can be a relatively powerful computer system capable ofrunning a major operating system, such as Microsoft's Windows or WindowsNT, Unix, or Linux, as smaller computer capable of running smalleroperating systems such as those which are often used with embeddedcontrollers.

The displays 142 and 144 can be virtually any type of display capable ofshowing an electronically encoded image including, for example, liquidcrystal, LED, gas plasma, projection display, electronic ink (of thetype being developed by Eink Corporation, and similar technologies),electronic paper (such as Gyricon, being developed by Xerox PARC, andsimilar technologies), and cathode ray tube displays. In someembodiments of the invention, the separately controllable displays 142and 144 might actually be two separate parts of a single display. Inmany embodiments of the invention, such as those shown in FIGS. 3-6,FIGS. 42-43, FIGS. 45 and 46, it is preferred that the displays 142 and144 be at least a VGA resolution display having at least 640×480 pixels.In fact, in the embodiments of these figures the side displays 142 areeach comprised of three separate VGA or better resolution displays whichare ganged together to form one display, and the back display 144 isformed of two separate VGA or better resolution displays which areganged together to form one display. In other embodiments of someaspects of the invention, a mobile unit's display need not be formed ofsuch high resolutions display, nor need they be formed of such gangeddisplays.

FIGS. 3 through 6 provide various views of one embodiment of the mobileunit 104. In this embodiment the mobile unit is a taxicab and most ofthe components identified within the box labeled 104 in FIG. 1 arecontained in a car-top, or rooftop, unit 174 shown in FIGS. 3 through 6.In this embodiment the mobile unit's first separately controllabledisplay 142 is actually two displays, one located on each of the longertwo sides of the triangularly shaped car-top unit 174. The mobile unit'sseparately programmable second display 144 corresponds to a smallerdisplay unit that occurs in the back-facing, shorter side of thetriangularly shaped car-top box. Such a rear-facing display can displayseparate content from the side-facing displays, since its content couldbe tailored to the audience of drivers rather than pedestrians. Itshould be noted that the vehicle associated with a mobile unit need notbe a taxi. In fact, it could include buses, trains, trucks, privatelyowned passenger cars, boats, airplanes, blimps, and virtually any othertype of vehicle.

The mobile unit's controller 140 contains memory 158 that includesprogramming 160 which controls its operation. It also stores displaymessage IDs 162 and 164, which identify the display messages that arecurrently to be shown on the mobile unit's two displays 142 and 144. Thecontroller's memory also stores a cache of display messages in thedisplay message storage 166. This cache includes a plurality of displaymessages 168A through 168N that have been cache after having beendownloaded by wireless transmission from the central system 102.

In some embodiments of the invention this display unit's programming 160includes programming 161 for generating animated video output fromvector-based representations of animation. By vector-based animationrepresentations, we mean digital representations which defines animationin terms of one or more patterns each of which can be assigned movingpositions relative to a display screen, and at least some of which aredefined as scalable geometric shapes. This use of vector-based animationhas the benefit of enabling animated, relatively high-resolution imagesto be generated on a display unit from files or other collections ofdata that are relatively compact. This reduces the amount of time andbandwidth required to download such messages from the central system,and it reduces the amount of space required to store a plurality of suchanimated images in the display unit's display message storage area.

In some embodiments of the invention, the mobile unit's controller'smemory further includes a locator-signal period variable 170, whichindicates the length of time that should occur between the generation ofsuccessive locator signals. Such locator signals transmit informationabout a given mobile unit's status and location to the central system.In some embodiments, the mobile unit's memory also stores a destinationvariable 172, which records information input about an intendeddestination for the mobile unit's vehicle which has been input into thedestination input device 150.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention's system fordisplaying information on mobile signs. This embodiment is identical tothat shown in FIG. 1 except for the fact that its central systemincludes a broadband transmitting system, such as a UHF transmitter 176,which can be a licensed UHF television station, and except that itsmobile units 104A include a corresponding broadband receiving system,such as a UHF receiver 180 and a stream decoder 182. In this embodimentof the invention, the UHF transmitter transmits multiple streams of dataof the type shown schematically in FIG. 8.

As is indicated in FIG. 8, the data transmitted by the UHF transmitteris comprised of a plurality of data streams 186. Each of these streamsincludes a plurality of messages 132 of different length which occur atsuccessive times. As will be described below, the central systemtransmits to each mobile unit an indication of which of the messagescontained in one of its data streams the mobile unit should displaylive, and which of such messages the mobile unit should cache. Suchcontrol information is sent through the wireless transmitter 136 shownin FIG. 7 in many embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments ofthe invention, such instructions are included in one or more of the UHFdata streams themselves. As those skilled in the communication arts willappreciate, there are multiple methods by which one or more data streamscan be encoded on a high frequency transmission signal such as thosegenerated by UHF transmitter's.

FIG. 9 describes some of the programming 160 associated with the mobileunits. In particular, it describes a main loop 186 that the controllerrepeatedly executes during normal operation. The major function of theportion of the main loop shown in FIG. 9 is to wait for, and to respondto, messages from the central system 102 shown in FIG. 1. When such amessage is received, step 188 causes the steps 190 through 222 in FIG. 9to be performed. In other embodiments, other programming structuresbesides a main loop can be used. For example, the main loop could easilybe replaced with an event driven architecture where the repeated pollingis replaced with an interrupt service routine to dispatch events.

Step 190 reads the message that is been received from the central systemto determine its type. If the message is a display-selection message,step 192 causes steps 194 through 214 to be performed; if it is acaching message, step 216 causes step 218 to be performed; and if it isa locator-signal-period message, step 220 causes step 222 to beperformed. Although not described in this specification, other types ofmessages can be sent from the central system to mobile units.

If a message received from the central system is a display-selectionmessage, steps 194 through 214 will be performed.

Step 194 performs a set of steps 196 through 210 for each of theseparately controllable displays of the mobile unit. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 1 each mobile unit has two separately controllabledisplays. In some embodiments the mobile unit will only have onecontrollable display and in yet other embodiments it might have morethan two.

For each separately controllable display message, step 196 tests to seeif the content of the display message identified in thedisplay-selection message for the current display is contained in thedisplay-selection message, or not. This difference is illustrated withregard to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 shows a display-selection message 224in which selected messages are represented only by their IDs. FIG. 11shows a display-selection message 224A that is identical to the message224 except that in it the content of the selected messages is includedwithin the display-selection message. As can be seen by comparing FIGS.10 and 11, both messages include a header 226; a mobile unit ID 228,which identifies the particular mobile unit to which thedisplay-selection message is addressed; and, in some cases, alocator-signal period 234, which identifies the length of time which themobile unit should wait between transmitting the locator signals thatinform the central system of the location of the mobile unit.

Returning to FIG. 9, if the step 196 finds that the receiveddisplay-selection message is of the type shown in FIG. 11, whichincludes the contents of selected display messages, it will cause step198 to read that content and show it upon the associated display 142 or144.

If the test of step 196 is not met, i.e., if the display-selectionmessage does not contain the content of its selected display messages,then step 200 tests to see if the selected display message is stored inthe mobile unit's cache memory 166 shown in FIG. 1. If so, step 202 willcause the content of the selected message to be read from memory andshown on the associated display.

If the display-selection message identifies the selected message as partof a broadcast data stream 186 of the type shown in FIG. 8, step 204will cause steps 206 and 208 to be performed. Step 206 will cause thedata stream receiver 182 shown in FIG. 7 to receive the identifieddisplay message, and step 208 will cause the identified display messageto be shown on the corresponding display of the mobile unit inreal-time. The steps 204 through 208 are only applicable to embodimentsof the invention of the type, such as that discussed above with regardFIG. 7, which have live messages broadcast to mobile units through adata channel or stream other than data-selection messages transmittedfrom the central system's wireless system 134.

If none of the tests contained in step 196, 200, or 204 have been metfor the current display-selection message, then step 210 will cause thecontroller to send a locator signal to the central system indicatingthat the mobile unit does not have the selected message. In manyembodiments, the central system will respond by sending the contents ofthat message to the mobile unit or by instructing the mobile unit todisplay another message.

If a display-selection message includes a locator-signal-period value234 of the type indicated in FIGS. 10 and 11, step 212 of FIG. 9 willcause step 214 to write that value into the location-signal-periodvariable 170 shown in FIGS. 1 and 7. This value will then be used by themobile unit to control the frequency at which it will generate thelocator signals that inform the central system of its location.

If the message received by the main loop of the mobile unit's controllershown in FIG. 9 is a caching message, step 216 will cause step 218 tocache the display message identified in the caching message. In mostembodiments of the invention, a caching message will either include thecontents of any that it indicates are to be cached, or, when used withembodiments of the invention having one or more broadcast data streams,such as, for example, the embodiment discussed above with regard FIG. 7,it will contain sufficient information to enable the mobile unit'sbroadcast receiver and stream decoder to select the desired message froma broadcast data stream, so that the messages' content can be stored inthe caching memory 166.

If the message received by the new mobile unit's controller is alocator-signal-period message, step 220 will cause step 222 to store thelocator-signal-period value received in that message in thelocator-signal-period variable 170 shown in FIGS. 1 and 7.

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of a locator signal messagegenerated by some embodiments of the present invention. As is beenstated above, the locator signal is generated by a mobile unit to informthe central system of the mobile unit's location. The locator signal 240includes a header 242; a mobile unit ID 240, which enables the centralsystem to know the identification of the mobile unit generating thelocator signal; and GPS coordinates generated by the mobile unit's GPSunit 146 shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, so as to inform the central system ofthe mobile unit's location.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the mobile unit can also use locatorsignals to communicate other types of information with the central unit.For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the locator signal 240includes the IDs 248 of each of the display messages currently shown onthe separately controllable displays of the mobile unit. Thisinformation is transmitted to the central system so it can verify thatthe display messages it has instructed the mobile unit to show have, infact, been shown for their desired duration. The locator signal 240 ofFIG. 12 also includes the vehicle speed 250. This speed informationenables the central system to more accurately calculate the frequency atwhich the mobile unit should generate locator signals, so as to bestenable the central system to determine when a mobile unit crosses into anew geographic zone. The speed information can also be used to determinethe nature of the content to be displayed. For example, when a vehicleis moving, fixed or slow moving content can be displayed. When thevehicle is stopped, dynamic content including full motion video can beshown.

The messages 252 and 254 shown in FIG. 11 are only sent to the centralsystem when the mobile unit has a need to do so. The information 252informs the central system that the mobile unit does not have thecontents of a selected display message that is to be shown, as wouldoccur if step 210 of FIG. 9 were performed. The locator signal willinclude the information 254 if the user enters a new desired destinationfor the mobile unit through the destination input 150 shown in FIGS. 1and 7. This is a feature which would most commonly be used inembodiments of the invention in which the mobile units are taxis orother vehicles hired to take people to selected destinations.

FIGS. 13 through 15 illustrate daemons used by the mobile unit'scontroller to help perform various tasks. In other embodiments of theinvention other programming techniques besides the use of daemons can beused to accomplish their function, including, for example, interrupts,multiple threads, separate hardware to respond to individual events, andmany other known techniques.

FIG. 13 describes the locator-signal daemon 260. This demon tests to seeif the time since the last transmission of a locator signal by themobile unit equals the locator-signal period. If so, it causes step 262to transmit a locator signal 240 of the type described above with regardto FIG. 12. Among other things this enables the central system toidentify the location of the mobile unit.

FIG. 14 illustrates the mobile unit's vehicle-destination input demon264. This demon tests to see if the user has input a new desireddestination for the mobile unit's vehicle in the destination input 150shown in FIGS. 1 and 7. If so, it causes step 268 to send a locatorsignal to the central system including an intended destination field 254of the type shown in FIG. 12. This information as to the intendeddestination of the vehicle helps the central system determine whatmessage the mobile unit should cache, and can also be used to help themobile unit determine the locator-signal period to be used by the mobileunit.

FIG. 15 illustrates the mobile unit's speed-monitoring daemon 270. Thisdaemon includes a step 272 that reads the vehicle speed as generated bythe speed sensor 148 shown in FIGS. 1 and 7. Step 274 tests to see ifthe vehicle's speed or direction has changed by more than a certainamount, and, if so, causes step 276 to vary the locator-signal periodaccordingly. For example, if the vehicle slows down, the locator-signalperiod can be increased in proportion to the decrease in speed. If thevehicle's speed increases, the locator-signal period will be increasedaccordingly. Such changes in the locator-signal period are made becausethe frequency with which the mobile unit needs to inform the centralsystem of its location, in order to enable the central system toaccurately determine when the mobile system makes a transition from onezone to another, varies as a function of the mobile unit's closeness tosuch a zone boundary and on its direction and velocity.

FIG. 16 illustrates the part 280 of the central system's programming110, shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, which is dedicated to responding to locatorsignals from mobile units.

This programming includes a step 282 that causes steps 284 through 316to be performed if a locator signal is received from a mobile unit. Step284 associated a geographic location with the mobile unit that sent thelocator signal. In embodiments of the invention in which the locatorsignal 240 is of the type shown in FIG. 12, the locator signal includesboth the mobile unit ID 244 and GPS coordinates 246. In that case, step284 merely associates in its memory the GPS coordinates 246 with themobile unit's ID 244 contained in the locator signal. In someembodiments of the invention, however, the locator signal itself doesnot actually encode the coordinates of the mobile unit, but insteadmerely includes the mobile unit ID. In such embodiments, as is describedbelow with regard to FIG. 64, the location of the mobile unit isdetermined by the wireless system 134, such as by detecting the relativesignal strength with which the locator signal is received by variousreceivers in the wireless system, by determining the relative delay withwhich the locator signal is received by various receivers in thewireless system, or by any of other methods by which the location of aradio signal can be determined which is either currently, or hereafterknown.

Once the central system has associated a geographic location with themobile unit that sent the locator signal that has been received, step286 determines in which geographic zone the location associated with themobile unit occurs. The geographic zone's defined by the zonedefinitions 112 shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 can be of varying size. In mostembodiments, however, the zones defined by the zone definitions 112 willbe larger than the resolution of the location associated with mobileunits in step 284.

Next step 288 tests to see if the display messages which the field 248of the locator signal indicates are being shown on its associated mobileunit are different than those identified by the last displays-selectionmessage sent to the mobile unit. If so, step 290 indicates thisdifference in the billing database, so that advertisers will not bebilled for the display of advertisements which were ordered by adisplay-selection message, but which were not in fact shown.

The next step 292 tests to see if the mobile unit is in a geographiczone for which different display messages should be shown than thoseindicated by the field 248 contained in the locator signal that has beenreceived. If so, steps 294 through 298 are performed. Step 294 selectsthe display messages to be displayed by the mobile unit based on thecurrent zone in which the mobile unit is located and the current time,by reference to the schedule 114 described above with regard to FIG. 2.Step 296 sends a display selection message to the mobile unit throughthe wireless system 134, identifying the selected display messages thatare to be shown by the mobile unit. Then, step 298 records the zone,time, and display messages associated with its display-selection messagein the billing database 126 shown in FIGS. 1 and 7.

After steps 292 through 298 have been performed, step 300 recordsinformation about the location of the mobile unit derived from thecurrent locator signal in the mobile unit's location history 128, shownin FIGS. 1 and 7. As stated above, this information is used to helpdetermine the current speed of the mobile unit, as well as itsparticular travel patterns, so the central system can help the mobileunit to more intelligently cache messages associated with geographiczones through which it is likely to travel.

Next, step 302 causes steps 304 through 310 to be performed if thecentral system is using the variable frequency locator signals.

Not all embodiments of the invention need to use variable frequencylocator signals. The use of such variable frequency locator signals,however, enables the system to achieve a higher level of accuracy atdetermining when a mobile unit crosses into a zone for which differentdisplay messages should be shown, using a given level of locator signalcommunication traffic. It does this by causing individual mobile unitsto vary the frequency with which they generate locator signals as afunction of their closeness to geographic zone boundaries, their speed,and their direction. In such a variable frequency system, when a mobileunit is approaching a zone boundary the frequency at which it transmitslocator signals is increased. When the mobile units stop moving ortravel at a very slow speed, and are not close to a zone boundary, thefrequency at which it transmits locator signals is greatly reduced. Thenet effect is to greatly reduce the amount of locator signal trafficthat is required to achieve a given degree of accuracy with regard todetermining when mobile units cross-zone boundaries.

If such a variable frequency locator signal system is being used, step304 shown in FIG. 16 determines, from the locator signal, a distancefrom the mobile unit to the boundary of its current geographic zone. Insome embodiments, this distance will be the closest distance from themobile unit to a boundary of a geographic zone. In other embodiments,this distance will be the closest distance from the mobile unit to theboundary of the geographic zone in the direction in which the givenmobile unit is traveling. Next, step 306 calculates the length of timebefore the mobile unit is likely to reach the boundary of its currentgeographic zone, given the distance determined in step 304 and the speedof the vehicle. Next, step 308 calculates a locator signal period basedon the length of time determined in step. Finally, step 310 sends awireless locator-signal-period message to the given mobile unitcontaining the locator-signal. As is described above with regard to FIG.9, this will cause steps 220 and 222 of FIG. 9 to set thatlocator-signal period 170 shown in FIGS. 1 and 7. If the central systemis sending a display-selection message to the given mobile unit atapproximately the same time that it desires to send alocator-signal-period value to the mobile unit, it can include thelocator-signal period in the display-selection message, as is indicatedby the field 234 in FIGS. 10 and 11.

If the locator signal that has been received by the central systemincludes an intended destination designation 254 of the type shown inFIG. 12, step 312 will cause steps 314 and 316 to be performed. Step 314selects a subset of display messages that are appropriate for a mobileunit to cache given its current location and the intended locationidentified by the field 254 shown in FIG. 12. Then step 316 sends awireless message to the mobile unit informing it to cache the selectedsubset of display messages. In some embodiments of the invention, thecaching message sent by step 316 will actually include the content ofthe display messages that are to be cached within it. In otherembodiments of the invention, the caching message will identify messagesthat are to be received and cached from another communication channel,such as from one of the broadcast data streams 186 shown in FIG. 8,which can be broadcast to the mobile units, such as by the UHFtransmitter 176 shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 17 illustrates bill generation programming 320 that can be executedby the central system. This includes programming 322 which causes thecentral system to generate billing records for individual advertisingclients which indicate the amount of each such bill as a function of thenumber and length of displays of those advertiser's messages which havebeen shown on the system's mobile units. In many embodiments of theinvention the amount billed to individual advertisers is not only afunction of the number of displays which have been made of theirmessages, but also as a function of the location and time at which suchmessages have been shown.

FIG. 18 illustrates another embodiment of the invention. In thisembodiment, the central system 102B controls the display of messagesupon more than just mobile display units, such as the cab mobile unit104B and the bus mobile unit 104C, shown in FIG. 18. It also controlsthe display of messages upon one or more fixed display units, such asthe fixed display 344 shown in FIG. 18, and upon one or more wirelessportable computing devices, such as the personal digital assistant (PDA)340 shown in FIG. 18.

The central system 102B is connected through a computer network to awireless transmission system 134, indicated by an image of a cellularantenna tower shown in FIG. 18. Through this wireless system the centralsystem can communicate with the various display units and portablecomputing devices shown in FIG. 18. As stated above with regard to FIGS.1 and 7, the wireless system 134 used by the central systems of variousembodiments of the invention can be either a separate transmitter and/orreceiver dedicated to the use of the central system or a wireless systemoperated by a third-party wireless data communications provider, such asa cellular phone and data network. In the embodiment of the inventionindicated in FIG. 18 the wireless system 134 is of this latter type,although in other embodiments it need not be.

In many embodiments of the invention, shown in FIG. 18, the centralsystem also has the capability to communicate with at least some of itsdisplay units through a UHF transmitter 176 similar to that describedabove with regard to FIG. 7.

The computer network 348 shown in FIG. 18 is intended to represent ageneralized communication network, which can include telephone,wireless, and data communications, including in many embodiments anetwork of computer networks, such as the Internet. The central system102B is connected to the network 348 not only for the purpose ofcommunicating with its display units through the wireless system 134,but also for the purpose of communicating with other types of devices,such as one or more external computer systems 350; one or more othertypes of computer devices, such as the PDA 340B; and/or one or moretelephones 352. The central system 102B uses its connections with suchdevices to enable people to purchase, and control the content of,messages displayed by the system; to interact with and respond to thesystem's messages and display units; and to enable users to interactwith various forms of information stored in the central system.

The central system 102B of FIG. 18 includes an online advertisinge-commerce site 352. In many embodiments of the invention this will be aWorld Wide Web site. This advertising e-commerce site includesadvertising marketplace-programming 354 to enable users to purchase theright to display advertising on the systems various display's during oneor more geosynchrons. A Geosynchron is a given combination of one ormore times, locations, and other condition. The central system 102B alsoincludes advertising uploading programming 356 to enable users to uploadover the communication network 348 advertisements which they desire tobe shown during given geosynchrons which they have purchased the rightsto. The online site 352 also includes advertising response programming358 which enables people who have seen messages displayed on thesystem's various display screens to interact with such display's.

The central system also includes display control programming 360, whichis somewhat similar to the display control programming 110 and 110Adescribed above with regard to FIGS. 1, 7, and 16. It also includes zone(or geon) definitions 112A, a message schedule 114A, and display messagestorage 130A that correspond to the zone definitions 112, the schedule114, and the display message storage 130 shown above in FIGS. 1 and 7. Ageon is a location used to define a geosynchron.

The central system 102B further includes an advertisement marketplacedatabase 362, which stores information, including a demographic database1150 used in the operation of the central system's advertisingmarketplace site; a billing database 126, which is similar to thebilling records 126 described above with regard to FIGS. 1 and 7; atraffic database 346, which stores information about motor vehicletraffic flows derived from locator signals and other informationgenerated by the system's mobile and fixed units; a weather database 336derived from weather information obtained from the system's mobile andfixed units; and an image database 368 containing images of one or moremetropolitan areas in which the central system 102B is located, which isderived from cameras located on various of the system's mobile and fixedunits.

FIG. 19 is an alternate representation of the system shown in FIG. 18that has a form more similar to that of the diagram in FIGS. 1 and 7. InFIG. 19 some of the computer systems 350 are labeled as consumercomputers 350A, some as advertising buyer computers 350B, and others asadvertising seller computers 350C. A single computer can function as anyone of these types of computers, depending on its use. An advertisingbuying computer 350B refers to a system that is being used by anadvertiser, or someone acting on behalf of an advertiser, to obtaininformation about the placement of advertising or to placeadvertisements through the system. An advertising seller computer 350Crefers to a system that is being used by those who wish to sell, throughthe central system, advertising availabilities on displays that theycontrol. They could be the operators of the central system, or thirdparties who control fixed, mobile, or portable displays which can becontrolled by the system. A consumer system 350A refers to a computerthat interacts with the central system for purposes other than thoserelating to the selling or buying of advertisements. The only otherelement shown in FIG. 19 which is not explicitly shown in FIG. 18 is thenetwork interface 374, which represents any type of network interfacecapable of interfacing with one or more computers of the central systemto the network 348.

FIGS. 20, 21, and 22 represent various types of display units that canbe used with the system shown in FIGS. 18 and 19.

FIG. 20 represents a mobile display unit 104D that is similar to themobile display unit shown in FIG. 7, except that FIG. 20 illustratesmore of the possible features that the invention's mobile units cancontain.

The mobile unit 104D includes multiple external displays 142 and 144; aglobal positioning system 146; a speed sensor 148, which can be, forexample, the speedometer of the vehicle or part of the GPS system; awireless system 152; a UHF receiver 180; a controller 140; and a memory158, all of which are similar to the similarly numbered elements shownin FIGS. 7.

In addition, the mobile unit 104D of FIG. 20 includes one or morespeakers 376 that can be used to generate sound to accompany messagesshown on its displays 142 and/or 144, when appropriate. For example, itmight be appropriate to generate sound in conjunction with the displayof messages when the mobile unit is stopped or traveling at a low speed.In such cases, it would be relatively easy for people near the mobileunit to hear its audio messages even if they are played at a relativelylow, and thus non-offensive, volume. At other times the speakers 376 canbe used to generate much louder audio messages, enabling the mobile unitto operate as a sound truck that can generate images as well as sound.The speakers 376 can be used to generate audio which is synchronizedwith a sequence of still or moving images shown on its display, or canbe used to display audio messages which are not so synchronized.

The mobile unit shown in FIG. 20 also includes one or more cameras 380and an image capture device 378 for communicating between the one ormore cameras 380 and the controller computer 140. Although in someembodiments of the invention one or more of the cameras 380 can becameras using chemically developed film, in many embodiments they willbe electronic cameras, either digital still image cameras or videocameras. In many embodiments of the invention video cameras will beused, since they can capture moving images, which are often moreinteresting to the eye. As will be explained below in more detail, themobile unit's camera can have many uses, including recording informationabout the potential audience for a mobile unit's messages at variouslocations and at various times; recording information about traffic atvarious locations and various times; recording images for real-timedisplay on the mobile unit's display screens; and recording images ofthe one or more metropolitan areas in which the mobile unit travels forthe purpose of creating a visual database of such one or moremetropolitan areas.

The mobile unit shown in FIG. 20 further includes a local communicationdevice 382 that is capable of communicating directly with localcommunication devices of the same type that are relatively close to themobile unit. The local communication device 382 can be any type ofcommunication device capable of performing such communication. Thisincludes infrared communication devices, and various radio-frequencywireless communication devices, such as communication devices complyingwith the Bluetooth communications standard.

As will be explained in greater detail below, the purpose of the localcommunication device 382 is to enable people or devices in the vicinityof the mobile unit who have compatible local communication devices todirectly communicate and interact with the mobile unit.

The mobile unit of FIG. 20 also includes a driver interface 384 thatincludes a driver display 386, one or more driver speakers 388, a drivermicrophone 390, and a driver input 392.

The driver display 386 is a display located where the driver of themobile unit can easily read it, such as on the dashboard of the mobileunit's vehicle. Although the driver display can be of virtually anydisplay time, in many embodiments it will be a bitmap display, such asan LED, a liquid crystal, a gas plasma, a CRT, or an electronic inkdisplay. The driver display can be used for many different purposes.

In embodiments of the invention in which a driver is paid money as afunction of the amount of money earned by the messages shown on themobile unit the driver is operating, the driver display can be used todisplay information informing the driver of the amount of money he iscurrently earning, the amount of money he has earned over a given periodof time, and where to drive to earn the most money. In some suchembodiments the driver display will show a map of various locationscolor-coded to indicate the relative earning potential associated withdriving through each of them at various points of time, as is shown inFIG. 63.

In embodiments of the invention where the mobile unit is a taxicab orsimilar vehicle for hire, the driver display will have many usesrelating to taxi cab functions.

In many embodiments, the driver display provides the driver withinformation about the best route to get between two locations. In someembodiments, the display can be used to give directions, such as bydisplaying the driver's location on a map and indicating on the driver'sdisplay where the driver is to take turns. In embodiments of theinvention in which images captured by the mobile unit's cameras arecompiled into a virtual image of the city, the driver display can beused to show the driver pictures of important locations along a route orthe appearance of a desired destination.

The one or more driver speakers 388 are provided to enable the computer140 to provide audio output to a driver. For example, the driver speakercan be used to inform the driver when he or she is approaching locationsin a route at which he or she should make turns. In taxicab embodiments,the driver speakers can be used to enable the driver to receiveinstructions or information from the dispatcher (whether it be a humanor a computerized system) without having to take his or her eyes off theroad. The driver speaker can be used for any other purpose for whichspeakers are used to interface to drivers of automobiles, includingproviding news, traffic, and weather information.

The driver input 392 includes one or more input devices such as akeyboard, pointing device, or touch sensitive screen on the driverdisplay, which enable the user to input information into the computer140. This can be used to enable the user to enter a desired destinationto which the mobile vehicle is to travel. If the mobile unit is ataxicab, the driver input can be used to enable the user to enter adesired destination as well as the status of the cab, including whetheror not the cab is off-duty, has just taken a fare, or is driving to pickup a fare. The driver input 392 is also used to enable a driver toperform any other interactions that he or she may so desire to do withthe computer 140.

The driver microphone 390 is used to enable a user to talk to thecomputer 140 and/or to the system as a whole. The computer 140 canrecord audio of speech spoken by the driver as well as audio occurringin the cab. In many embodiments either the controller 140 or the centralsystem will have speech recognition capability to enable spoken inputfrom the driver to be converted into text or commands.

In the embodiment of FIG. 20, the memory 158 of the mobile unit'scontroller 140 includes programming 160 which contains many of theaspects of the programming 160 shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 discussed above.This memory also stores selected message IDs 162 and 164, displaymessages 168A through 168N, a locator-signal period 170, and adestination 172, as described above with regard to FIGS. 1 and 7. Inaddition, it stores driver earning data 394 which enables the driverdisplay 386 to provide a driver with information of his earnings basedon the amount of money his or her mobile unit has made displayingmessages at various geosynchrons, that is, at various combinations oftime and place and other possible conditions which the system uses tocontrol the display of messages on its display units. The memory 158 canalso include a geosynchron earning database 396, which containsinformation that can be displayed on the driver display 386 to help adriver decided the earning potential associated with driving throughdifferent locations at different times under different conditions.

FIG. 21 illustrates a mobile unit 104E that is similar to the mobileunit 104D of FIG. 20, except that, in addition, it includes a passengerinterface 400 including: a passenger display 402, a passenger speaker404, a passenger microphone 406, and a passenger input 408. The mobileunit of FIG. 21, like that of FIG. 20, can be used as a taxicab or othervehicle used for hire. Its passenger interface 400 would be particularlyuseful in such vehicles, since it would provide information andentertainment to such passengers. The mobile unit of FIG. 21 alsoincludes a thermometer 149 which can be used to sense the temperature ofthe air outside the mobile unit. The mobile unit shown in FIG. 21 doesnot include the UHF receiver 180 shown in FIG. 20, although in otherembodiments it could.

The passenger interface 400 can be used for different purposes. It canbe used to enable passengers to surf the Internet, and or send andreceive e-mail. It can also be used to provide the passenger with paidaudio and visual programming, or with audio and visual programming paidfor by advertising. In many embodiments providing the passenger withpaid audio and video programming, the mobile unit's controller 140includes programming 410 which keeps track of the passengers usage ofthe passenger interface and charges him accordingly. The amount of thischarge can be added to the taxi fare calculated for the passengers'trip. The amount of the taxi fare and any charges for the use of thepassenger interface can be displayed on the driver interface display 386as well as on the passengers' display 402.

In some embodiments of the mobile unit, shown in FIG. 21, advertisingmessages are shown on the passenger display 402 and/or sounded on thepassenger speaker 404. In such case the content of such messages can beselected by the system in response to conditions such as the location ofthe mobile vehicle, the destination of the passenger in the mobilevehicle, the time of day, day of the week, or date of the month, andother factors, such as information which the passenger has entered onthe passenger interface 400. Such message selection can be performed bysoftware 412 contained in the mobile unit's controller 130, or computersof the central system can select it.

FIG. 22 illustrates components of one embodiment, 346A, of a non-mobileunit 346 of the type illustrated in FIG. 18. This embodiment of anon-mobile unit includes a single display screen 344. In otherembodiments, the non-mobile unit can have two or more displays, such as,for example, a display on each of two opposite facing sides. Thenon-mobile unit further includes one or more speaker's 376A. Thesespeakers can be used like the speakers 376 described above with regardto FIG. 20 to provide audio to accompany messages shown on the display334, or audio containing separate messages from those shown on thatdisplay.

The non-mobile unit of FIG. 22 also includes one or more cameras 380Aand image capture electronics 378A to enable the mobile unit to recordaudience, traffic, and weather information for use by the overallsystem. Like the cameras 380 described with regard to FIG. 20, thecameras 380A can also provide images to networked users of the centralsystem of the camera's view at the current time; provide images whichcan be shown on the non-mobile unit's display 334 in real-time, ifdesired; and can, when combined with visual recognition software, enablethe non-mobile unit to respond to the people in its view, includingresponding to looks, gestures, or other behaviors by such people, and/orto derive information about the audience for its one or more displays atdifferent times.

The non-mobile unit further includes a local communication device 382Asimilar to the local communication device 382 described above withregard to FIG. 20. This device enables the non-mobile unit to interactwith people and electronic systems in its locale, which have similarlocal communication devices. The non-mobile unit further includes awireless system 152 to enable it to receive messages providing it withinstructions as to what messages to display as well as otherinstructions. In some embodiments, the non-mobile unit will include aUHF receiver 180 to enable it to receive message content and other datatransmitted to display units of the overall display system by a UHFtransmitter.

Many embodiments of the invention's non-mobile units will not include aglobal positioning system 136, since the non-mobile units normally willonly have one fixed location that only has to be entered into the systemonce when the mobile unit is positioned at a given location. But in someembodiments, non-mobile units may actually contain positioning systems136 because such systems are relatively inexpensive, the wouldautomatically determine the location of a non-mobile unit, and theywould automatically correct for any changes in the location of thenon-mobile unit or its electronics, were they ever to be moved. In suchembodiments, the non-mobile unit might actually transmit locatorsignals, although the frequency at which such signals were transmittedcould be very low because of the fixed nature of such units.

FIG. 23 is a highly simplified pseudo-code representation of theprogramming 420 associated with the online advertising site 352 shown inFIGS. 18 and 19. In many embodiments of the invention, the site will bea World Wide Web site, but in other embodiments it can be other types ofonline sites, such as, for example, ones connected to a private virtualnetwork. As shown in FIG. 23, this site includes programming 422 thatallows a user to cause a plurality of different things to happen. In aweb-based embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the e-commercesite downloads web pages which provide an interface allowing a user on aclient computer with a browser to select many of the user optionsprovided by the e-commerce site by of pointing and clicking with acomputer pointing device, such as a mouse.

As indicated by numerals 424 through 432, this interface enables a userto obtain information about the system's features, how to purchaseadvertising on the system, how to respond to advertisements on thesystem, and how to participate in contests and promotions which thesystem uses to encourage viewing of and interaction with its displayunits.

As indicated by numerals 1152, the interface provides ageosynchron-selling interface to customers. This interface allows acustomer to perform the following functions on-line.

It allows users to examine geosynchrons on a user navigabletime-location map, as indicated by numeral 1154. It allows them tosearch for geosynchrons by various user-selected criteria, as indicatedby number 1156. It allows the selection or de-selection of one or moregeosynchrons shown in the time-location map or in the results ofsearches by criteria, as indicated by numeral 1158. It allows users toadd or subtract selected geosynchrons from a selected group, and toselect, add, or subtract geosynchron groups, as is indicated by numerals1160 and 1162.

The selling interface allows users to purchase or bid for selectedgeosynchrons, as indicated by numeral 1164. It allows users to selectauto-placement of messages, which if selected causes the system toautomatically display messages according to user selected criteria, asindicated by numeral 1164 and 1166. The interface also allows users toupload advertisement message, including text, bitmapped,bitmapped-animations, vector-based animation, and real-time feedmessages, as indicated by numerals 1170 and 1172. If the user selectsreal-time feed upload, the central system will download the receivedmessage content for showing on one or more of the systems displays inreal time.

The sales interface allows a user to select or reselect which uploadedmessage are to be shown in a set of one or more geosynchrons a user haspurchased, as indicated by number 1174. It also allows users to sell orresell geosynchrons, as indicated by numeral 1176. This enables thirdparties who have display units that interface with the system to sellthe right to display messages through this e-commerce site. It alsoenables those who have purchased geosynchrons to turn around and to tryto sell them on the system, if for some reason they decide not to showmessages on such purchased geosynchrons. The users can set or varyprices for such resales, creating a third party market for geosynchrondisplay rights.

The interface also allows users to track the showing of messages inpurchased geosynchrons, as indicated in numeral 1178, and it allows themto track the showing of auto-placement messages, as indicated in numeral1180. This informs them of when and where given messages have beenshown, the cost associated with such displays, and, in some embodiments,information about the actual audience for the display, such as one ormore images taken from the display at the time a message was shownindicated the area in which people could see the display or informationwhich has been derived from such images by use of machine vision.

As indicated by number 1181, the on-line e-commerce site containsprogramming for automatically billing customers as a result of the timeand place at which their messages are shown.

As indicated by numerals 436, the interface of FIG. 23 allows users tosee a record of the messages that have been shown in a selected locationat a selected time, and to read, obtain more information about, orotherwise interact with a selected one of such ads. This feature wouldoften be used by the members of the audience who remember having seen agiven message in which they are interested displayed at approximately agiven location at approximately a given time. This interface will allowthem to search the database for advertisements based on the time andlocation at which they were shown, so as to allow users to find a givenmessage they are interested in and to allow them to interact with suchan advertisement, when found, such as by clicking through to the website of its advertiser, by obtaining more information on the product orservice described in the message, or receiving a coupon associated withthe message.

As indicated by the numeral 438, the central system's online site alsoallows users to see traffic information collected from mobile units,with the ability to see that information for given location and givenperiods of time. For example, if a person wanted to know how heavy thetraffic was on a given roadway at 4 PM on average workday evenings, heor she would be able to go to this database and obtain this informationfor many of the locations served by display units associated with theonline site. In many embodiments of the systems the traffic databasewill also incorporate information from sources other than the displaysystem's own display units, such as government sources reporting oncurrent traffic conditions, or local newspaper, radio, and/or TVorganizations that have traffic information. The data in this trafficdatabase can include not only image records of traffic at variouslocations and times, including the current time, but also statisticalinformation which has been manually or automatically derived from suchimages, as well as information derived from locator signals generated bymobile units, and information derived from speed sensors on such mobileunits.

As indicated by the text associated with numeral 440, the interface 422allows users to see weather information collected from display units,including the ability to see information for a given location at a giventime. This enables a user to see what the weather is like at variouslocations within one or more metropolitan areas served by the system.For example, if there is a big downpour in the region where a given useris located, the system can be used to determine how widespread thedownpour is and to determine its motion, so as a better calculate howlong it will be before the downpour will end. As with the trafficinformation database, in many embodiments the system's weather databasewill include data from sources other than the messaging system's fixedand mobile display units, such as information from the national weatherservice and from local media organizations.

As indicated by the numeral 441, the central system's online siteincludes an interface enabling users to navigate a visual image of thecity, both by location and time. Although this visual database mayinclude only 2-D images in some embodiments, in many others this visualdatabase will be comprised of 3-D images derived from 2-D images takenby cameras located both on mobile and fixed units. As is well known inthe art of image processing, it is possible to drive 3-D images of ascene from multiple 2-D images of it. This process can be used to createa virtual city composed of the many images taken by the system's mobileand fixed display units. Furthermore, the system can include images ofthe city at various times of day, various times a year, or it varioustimes over a period of years to make the virtual city seem even morealive.

Preferably users are able to navigate to given locations in this virtual3-D city or metropolitan region in multiple different ways, including:identifying specific addresses; by driving through its by means ofvirtual travel; by selecting one or more locations from an aerial orsatellite view and then selecting to see that locale at a street levelview; and/or by selecting various advertisers or other prominentlocations within the metropolitan area and selecting to see how theyappear within the virtual city. Organizations, such as stores, publictransportation authorities, and museums can cooperate with the centralsystem's Internet site by provide 3-D images of their own interiors,which could be linked into the visual database so that they could benavigated in as part of the 3-D space represented by the visualrepresentation.

This 3-D virtual city can have many uses. To name just a few: In someembodiments it will be used to provide directions over the centralsystem's Internet site, as indicated by the numeral 442. In someembodiments, it will be used to help users find the locations ofadvertiser's businesses. In some embodiments, its software content willbe sold or licensed by the central system to other businesses, such asweb site. In some embodiments, it will be used as part of video games.And, in some embodiments, it will be used by tourist bureaus for the oneor more metropolitan areas it displays.

As indicated by the numeral 443 in FIG. 23, the central system'sInternet site enables users to select to see current images from the oneor more cameras on the central system's display units. In manyembodiments, this interface enables users to see a representation of thecurrent location of the system's individual local and fixed units and toselect from which one or more of them they wish to see current images.This feature will be helpful for people who want to see what the currentweather is like in a given location, as well as for those who want tosee how many people are out and about in any given part of town, andwhat those people look like.

As indicated by the numeral 444 in FIG. 23, the central system's sitepreferably also includes an interface enabling users to upload contentfor noncommercial displays on the central system's various displays.Such an interface can help increase audience participation and interestin the display system, as well as provide interesting non-commercialcontent for its displays. For example, the system might allow people toupload pictures of their babies as part of a cutest-baby contest, orupload jokes as part of a funniest joke-of-the-day contest.

FIGS. 24A and 24B provides a more detailed illustration of oneembodiment of the geosynchron-selling interface 1152 described abovewith regard to FIG. 23. It describes some of the programming 446 whichcan be used by the part of the central system's Internet site thatenables advertisers, or those working on behalf of advertisers, to buyadvertising rights on the display system. This programming includessteps 448 through 506.

If the user selects a particular geosynchron display through the use ofa geosynchron display interface, steps 448 and 450 will cause thecentral system's computer to generate and show to the user theparticular display of a selected set of geosynchrons.

FIG. 25 illustrates the geosynchron display interface 508 that enablesusers to select such a geosynchron display. As indicated by the numeral510, it enables a user to select a plurality of different options.

As is indicated by the numeral 512 and 514, it enables a user to selectto see available geosynchrons according to their associated type ofdisplay, such as fixed displays; mobile displays, including taxi or busdisplays; or portable computer devices, such as PDA's; or the locationof a vehicle mounted display relative to the vehicle it is mounted on.Once geosynchrons associated with one or more of such display types,including side and back vehicles displays, have been displayed, acustomer can select have one or more of its messages shown on one ormore of such displayed geosynchrons, as described above with regard tonumerals 1182, 1184 and 475 through 482 in FIGS. 24A and 24B.

As indicated by the numerals 516 and 518, the interface enables a userto select the type of geosynchrons to be displayed based on how they aresold, such as by auction or by fixed price.

As indicated by numerals 520 and 522, the geosynchron display interfaceenables users to select the display of geosynchrons based on theparticular class of rights associated with each displayed geosynchron,including: whether the geosynchrons are to be uninterrupted for a givenlength of time, or composed of one or more time slices occurring over agiven length of time; whether the geosynchrons relate to a personalannouncement, as opposed to a commercial announcement; whether thegeosynchrons are display time-limited, which means that the user is onlywilling to pay for up to a given dollar amount for displays in the timeperiod and location identified by the geosynchrons; whether thegeosynchrons relate to the right to use display time left over afterother geosynchrons having higher priority, such as display-time-limitedgeosynchrons, have had their right to be displayed; whether thegeosynchrons are being placed for sale in a secondary market, that is,are being sold by an advertiser rather than by the operators of thecentral system itself; and whether the geosynchrons relate to thesponsorship of other non-commercial program content, such as a news,time, weather, traffic, contests, or other types of non-commercialprogramming which can be sponsored on the display system.

As indicated by the numeral 524, the geosynchron display interfaceenables a user to select the time of the geosynchrons he or she wants tobe displayed. In many embodiments, this includes one or more slidercontrols that allow a user to rapidly define different time periods ortime durations.

As indicated by numeral 526, the interface also lets users specify oneor more locations of the geosynchrons he or she wants displayed. Thiscan be done by navigating on a map and changing the scale of view. Itcan also be done by enabling a user to enter, if desired, a distancefrom such a given location, class of locations, given event, or class ofevents.

As indicated by numerals 528 through 548, the geosynchron displayinterface enables a user to specify a color scheme to be used in ageosynchron display. As indicated by numeral 532, it enables a user tospecify that the displayed geosynchrons be colored according to theirrespective values of one or more different types of demographicinformation, such as, for example, household income, population,traffic, or other types of available demographic information. Asindicated by numeral 534, the user can select to color displayedgeosynchrons by the amount of mobile unit traffic and or display timethat has historically occurred in equivalent geosynchrons for the samelocation in the past.

As is indicated by numeral 536, users are given the option of havinggeosynchrons colored by their price. When displaying fixed pricegeosynchrons, this would mean having them colored by their fixedpurchase price. When displaying geosynchrons to be purchased at auction,the price color would be that associated with the current bid price. Inmost embodiments, if the user has selected to view geosynchrons over atime period that spans multiple geosynchrons for a given location, theprice display, or other colored value displayed, will normally be anaverage over the selected time range. Alternatively, a user could use atime slider of the type described above with regard to numeral 524 tosee how the color value associated with a geosynchron at a givenlocation varies over time.

As indicated by numeral 538, a user can select to see geosynchronscolored by the identity of the parties that have purchased them.Preferably, the user is given the ability to color geosynchrons by theclass of advertiser that has purchased them. Preferably, this wouldrelate not only to geosynchrons which have been purchased but not yetdisplayed, but also to geosynchrons displayed in the past, includinggeosynchrons occurring at a specific time in the past, as well as thoseoccurring in the past during some repeated time, such as for example,evening rush hour between four and six PM. In some embodiments, if theuser has been authorized by one or more other parties to see whichgeosynchrons they have purchased, the user is allowed to seegeosynchrons colored by those other advertiser's identity. This featurewill be particularly useful where different parties are engaged in acooperative advertising campaign. It will allow one advertiser to seethe locations and times at which the other advertisers with whom it iscooperating have been displaying or are planning to displayadvertisements so that it can place advertisements that will complementsuch purchases.

As is shown by line 540 of FIG. 25, the geosynchron display interfaceenables a user to see geosynchrons colored by the degree to which thosegeosynchrons have been found to match a user specified set of criteriaby the geosynchron selection interface described below with regard toFIGS. 26A and 26B. As indicated by numeral 542, the geosynchron displayinterface also allows users to select to color geosynchrons by any othercriteria that can be used for the selection of geosynchrons in thegeosynchron selection interface of FIGS. 26A and 26B.

As is indicated by the numeral 548, the geosynchron display interfaceenables users to select to see geosynchrons colored by whether or notthey are selected as belonging to one or more geosynchron sets whichhave been defined by the user. This, for example, enables a user to seeon a map the location of various sets of geosynchrons he or she mighthave selected by various means.

As indicated by the numerals 550 and 552, the geosynchron displayinterface enables users to select various display schemes includingschemes which display geosynchrons on a map of one or more differentselected scales, and those that display them in one or more differentlist formats.

As indicated by numeral 554, the geosynchron display interface enablesusers to open, edit, and save a geosynchron set. As is described below,when a user displays a geosynchron set, he or she is able to select oneor more individual geosynchrons within it using known graphical userinterface selection techniques. The user can select to save one or moregeosynchrons so selected at a given time as such a geosynchron set. Oncesuch a set has been saved it can later be opened. A geosynchron set canbe edited, such as, for example, by changing its time to a differentday, week, or month; by adding or deleting geosynchrons; or by adding orsubtracting geosynchron sets. This is handy, because it enables anadvertiser who has taken the trouble to define a geosynchron set for agiven period of time to later rapidly edit that set definition for reuseat a later time.

As indicated by numerals 556 and 558, if the user selects to showgeosynchrons with current settings determined by the controls indicatedby numerals 512 through 554 in FIG. 25, then the system will generate ageosynchron display according to those selected settings. Thiscorresponds to steps 448 and 450 described above with regard FIG. 24A.In many embodiments, the system will automatically generate andredisplay such geosynchrons every time the user changes in individualsetting. But in situations in which the generation of a new displaywould be time-consuming, it is desirable that the user be given theoption to delay the generation of a geosynchron display until the userhas had a chance to make all the settings desired for that display.

If a user selects one or more geosynchrons in a geosynchron displaygenerated by the system in step 558, step 556 enables a user to selectto do any of the following things to the selected geosynchrons: todeselect it, as indicated by numeral 564; to see demographic informationassociated with the selected one or more geosynchrons, as indicated bynumeral 566; to see images from the mobile units recorded duringcorresponding geosynchrons in the past, as indicated by numeral 568; tosee statistical, geographic, 3-D, or other data extracted from camerason mobile units during corresponding geosynchrons in the past, asindicated by numeral 570; to buy or bid on the selected geosynchrons, asindicated by numeral 572; to re-offer the selected one or moregeosynchrons for sale if the user currently owns those geosynchrons, asindicated by numeral 574; and, if the selected geosynchrons are expired,meaning they have been used, and if they are owned by the current user,the current user can select to see actual images recording during thedisplay of messages during that geosynchron, if available, and to selectto see statistics about the audience during that display, if available,as is indicated by numerals 576 through 580.

In some embodiments of the invention, step 578 enables a user to seerecorded images made during the display of their messages shown insynchronism with a playback of their display messages to enable them tosee which portions of their advertisements drew what responses fromtheir audience.

The interface of FIG. 25, for example would allow a customer to usecontrol 566 to see selected demographic information on geosynchrons forone or more place-time combinations selected with controls 524 and 526.The use could specify whether to see such demographics associated withgeosynchrons for side or back displays using the control indicated bynumerals 512 and 514, which in many inbodiments would allow the customerto see the different type of demographic information labeled Pedestrianand Driver in FIG. 62, respectively. This user could then use thisdifferent demographic for side and back displays for one or morelocations in choosing which messages to display aat which times on sideand back displays. Returning to FIG. 24A, the central system's sellingprogramming 486 includes steps 1182 and 1184 which allow a user toselect a geosynchron from the location-time map or from lists producedin response to display selections or search results.

The selling programming also includes steps 452 and 454, which respondto a users selection of a set of geosynchron selection criteria bysearching for and then generating a ranked list or map showinggeosynchrons that match or best match that set of criteria.

FIGS. 26A and 26B provides a description of the geosynchron selectioninterface 582, which describes its steps in greater detail.

As indicated by the numeral 584 in FIG. 26A, the geosynchron selectioninterface provides a plurality of controls which enable a user to makeone or more weighted value selections for each of the criteria, orparameter types, indicated by the numerals 586 through 638. In manyembodiments, the weighting system allows a user to make a given criteriamandatory, that is to require that all geosynchrons selected will haveto meet that criteria. For example, if a user selects a mandatoryweighting for an ad display device type 586 being of the “back” type,only geosynchrons for back displays, such as the displays 144 shown inFIGS. 3 through 6, will be returned for any exact match or best matchsearch.

As indicated by the numerals 586, 590, and 594, respectively, thegeosynchron selection interface enables a user to select desired valuesfor an ad device type, a sales type, and an ad type, corresponding tosimilarly named types described above with regard to FIG. 25.

The time profile control 614 shown in the geosynchron selectioninterface enables a user to select one or more separately weighted timeperiods for the set of geosynchrons to be selected. Preferably theinterface allows users to select time periods by date and time, as wellas by repeated time classifications such as day of the week, day of themonth, work days, weekends, holidays, rush hour, and nearness in time toa given event or one of a given class of events, such as sports events,concerts, or festivals. In one relatively simple embodiment of theinvention, a separate geosynchron is defined for each correspondinggeographic zone, or “geon”, at every successive half-hour interval. Inother embodiments, more complex time schemes are used, including thosethat display different messages in different time slices over a giventime period.

The location profile control 616 allows the user to define locationcriteria in multiple different ways. As indicated in 620, a user candefine location criteria by various types of locations including:residential areas; entertainment venues; educational venues, such asuniversities; parks; government buildings; selected tunnels and bridges;business districts; tourist areas; art galleries; restaurants; movietheaters; 24-hour stores; toll booths; high traffic areas; airports;taxi stands; subway stops; various specified types of stores; variousnamed businesses: and any other location types which have been madeselectable by the interface. The user can also select locations by othermethods, such as by the town or city they occur in, by geon's havinglocations corresponding to a predefined geosynchron set, or by apredefined set of geon's. Other methods of specifying geosynchrons caninclude by nearness to a given location or class of locations, such asnearness to schools, or nearness to airports, or nearness to storesbellowing to a given merchant.

As indicated by the numerals 600 through 612, the geosynchron selectioninterface enables a user to select a plurality of different types ofdemographic profile criteria to be used for the selection of ageosynchron set. As indicated by 604, this includes, just to name a few,the population of residents of the area of the display, including theage, education, income, education, language, ethnic group, behavioral orpsychological characteristics, and sex of the population, if available,for the selected geosynchrons.

As indicated by 606, the selectable demographic criterion includesparameter values for the audience likely to see messages during theselected geosynchrons. This is different than resident demographicssince it is based on estimates of not who lives in a location, butinstead the characteristics of people who are actually likely to be ableto see the display. This demographic information would reflect thecharacteristics of people who come into or travel through a given areaat a given time. These characteristics include total number of people,and/or averages or numbers of different types of people classified bydemographic categories such as age, education, size, income, education,behavioral and psychological characteristics, the type of vehicle theyare driving, and their sex, if that information is available. Theaudience information can also include demographic information whichreflect not only who are the people likely to see a display at a giventime or place but what they are doing at that time (such as walking,driving, sitting, etc., and their likely relationship to the display,such as their closeness, their speed, their speed relative to thedisplay, their orientation relative to the display, and the amount oftime they are likely to have to see the display.

As indicated by numerals 608 through 612, the demographic criteria alsoinclude such information as the average household value for thegeosynchrons, the average retail sales of the geosynchrons, and thenumber of employees in the geosynchrons.

As indicated by the numerals 624 through 627 of FIG. 26B the geosynchronselection interface enables a user to define criteria relating to theprice of desired geosynchrons. This includes criteria specifying thatthe selected geosynchrons be in a specified least or most expensivepercentile of the geosynchron pool. The user can also select that theselected geosynchrons be over or under the running average price for theregion; that the geosynchrons' price be less than or greater than aspecified dollar amount and that the geosynchrons have a small or highprice fluctuation. As indicated by numeral 627 the user can also specifya total price limit for a group of geosynchrons that are to be searchedfor. This allows the system to seek to best match a user selected set ofcriteria, while keeping the total price at or below a given limit. Otherprice parameters could also be used, and the selection of priceparameters provided could vary depending upon whether or not the userhas selected to show geosynchrons purchased at a fixed price or throughan auction.

As indicated by numerals 628 and 630, the geosynchron selectioninterface enables a user to specify criteria for the selection ofgeosynchrons relating to closeness in time or space relative to namedevents, such as sporting events, entertainment events, or other eventslikely to be relevant to advertisers, either by event type or by eventname.

As indicated by numerals 632 and 634, the geosynchron selectioninterface enables a user to specify criteria for desired geosynchronsrelating to the advertisers that have bought equivalent geosynchrons inthe past, or who currently own unexpired geosynchrons. Preferably, theinterface enables the user to identify such advertisers by name, bybusiness type, by business-size, by location, or by individualadvertiser ID. As stated above, in most embodiments of the invention, auser will not be able to find the identification of geosynchrons whichhave been purchased by individual advertisers unless those advertisershave granted permission for such information to be displayed about them.

As indicated by numerals 636 and 638, a user is also able to use setlogic to define a set of geosynchrons to be selected based on thedefinitions of previously defined geosynchron sets, including theaddition and/or subtraction of such sets, as well as the editing ofsets, such as to change a predefined set to relate to a later time.

As indicated by the numerals 640 through 650, the geosynchron selectioninterface enables a user to select whether the search is to return onlygeosynchrons which exactly match the customer selected criteria or thosewhich best match it, as indicated by number 641. It allows them toselect to run the actual search or matching programming that finds theexactly matching or best matching geosynchrons and generates anddisplays the resulting geosynchron set, as indicated by numeral 642. Asindicated by numeral 644, the interface enables a user to name and savea geosynchron set or group generated by the steps 642; to open or save apreviously defined set of geosynchron selection parameters previouslydefined by use of the controls 586 through 638, as indicated by numeral646; to remove geosynchrons from a geosynchron selection set, asindicated by 648; and to add, subtract, or perform other set logicoperations upon geosynchron sets, as indicated by 650.

FIG. 27 is an abstract illustration of one possible embodiment of theoptimization programming 652 that can be used by the step 642 to seek aset best match geosynchrons. It includes a step 653 which define amultidimensional space as function of the customer selected criteriaused in the search and weights associated with those criteriarespectively, which either have been selected by the customer or bydefault. Next in step 654 it finds the distance between one or morepoints in that space representing values of customer selected criteriaand one or more points represented by each of a plurality ofgeosynchrons, is indicated by criteria values associated with thosegeosynchrons, such as by a demographic and/or other databases. Then instep 655, it select a set of one or more best scoring geosynchrons thatcomply with the price limit, if any, selected by the customer.

Returning now to FIG. 24A, steps 456 and 458 of the central system'sadvertising selling programming enables a user to select a set of autoplacement criteria, which will cause the system to automatically show agiven set of one or more customer specified messages at times andlocations selected by the system according to such criteria.

As indicated by the steps 460 and 462, if a user selects to estimate theprice of a selected set of geosynchrons, those steps will display thedistribution of probable prices for that set of geosynchrons based onthe price for message displays in its individual geosynchrons, either atthe fixed price or current bid price, and based on past messagedisplay-time patterns for those geosynchrons.

This step enables a user to estimate the likely cost for a geosynchronbased on the amount of display time it is likely to have, based on pasthistory. As described above, in the embodiment being described, usersare charged based on the amount of display time for their messageswithin a given geosynchron. In this embodiment, users are able to placein upper limit on the amount of display time they're willing to pay forwithin a given geosynchron. It should be understood that many otherschemes can be used to pay for displays in a geosynchron, given the factthat the amount of time spent in that geosynchron is usually not knownin advance and can very widely.

If the user selects to place a geosynchron that it owns for sale, step464 of FIG. 24A will cause steps 466 through 470 to be performed. Step466 provides the user with an interface allowing it to identify itsadvertiser ID; a geosynchron ownership ID of the geosynchron being sold;and an asked price for the geosynchron if fixed-price selling is to beused, or the starting bid, minimum price, and closing time, if anauction is to be used for the sale. If the user provides properinformation in step 466, step 468 will cause step 470 to record theoffer and place the geosynchron in the system's geosynchron database forsale along with other geosynchrons currently available for sale withinthe system.

If a party who wishes to sell display availibilities uses the system toplace one or more geosynchrons for sale for the first time, step 471causes steps 472 through 474 to be performed. Step 472 provides the userwith an interface that allows the user to enter information defining thegeosynchron and the terms under which it is for sale. Such informationcould include the ad display device type, the sales type, the add type,the time, and location (all as defined with regard to FIG. 25)associated with the geosynchron, as well as an identification of theparty owning or controlling the geosynchron's display devices and theprice or other terms under which the geosynchrons is available for sale.

Step 473 tests to see if the system has received proper information fromthe user to define the geosynchrons and how it is to be sold, and, ifso, it causes step 474 to record the offer for sale of the centralsystem's ad marketplace database, and it places the geosynchron in thecentral system's geosynchrons inventory 363, shown in FIG. 19.

As was stated above with regard to FIG. 19, an advertiser seller caneither be a person working for the central system who is offeringgeosynchrons on displays owned or controlled by the central system forsale, or can be a third party offering for sale geosynchrons on displayswhich the third party owns or controls. In fact, in some embodiments ofthe invention, the entity which owns the central system may not, infact, own any of the displays used with the system and may merely act asintermediary for selling, buying, and/or controlling the selection ofmessages to be displayed in geosynchrons involving such third partydisplays as a function of time, location, or other conditions.

If a user selects to purchase a fixed-price geosynchron, then step 475causes steps 476 through 478 to be performed. Step 476 tests to see ifthe purchase is authorized, and, if so, it causes steps 477 and 478 tobe performed. Step 477 records the advertising purchase in the centralsystem's billing records, and step 478 sends the advertiser ageosynchron ownership ID entitling it to identify one or more desiredmessages to be shown in the geosynchrons in the central system's messageschedule.

If a user, or the purchase optimization program described above, selectsto bid in an auction for a geosynchron, then step 479 will cause steps480 through 484 to be performed. Step 480 tests to see if the bid beingmade is higher than the current highest bid for the geosynchron, and, ifso, it records the requested bid as the currently highest bid and itrecords the requester's advertiser ID in association with thegeosynchron in the central system's marketplace database. Then, step 484returns an indication to the user indicating whether or not the bid wassuccessful.

If the user requests to see the current bid on a geosynchron beingauctioned, step 486 will cause step 482 to display information on thatcurrent bid price.

If the time for closing bidding on one or more geosynchrons is up, step490 will cause steps 492 through 496 to be performed. Step 492 causes aloop comprised of steps 494 and 496 to be performed for each geosynchronwhose bidding has just closed. In this loop step 494 declares thecurrent highest qualified bidder to be the winner for the geosynchron inits records, recording the winning price as the price of thegeosynchron, and step 496 sends a message to that winner informing itthat it owns the geosynchron. This message includes a geosynchronOwnership ID which enables the winner to exercise rights as owner of thegeosynchron, including the right to determine what one or more messagesare to be displayed during it and the right to resell the geosynchron,as indicated above with regards to steps 472 and 476.

Numerals 498 through 506 of FIG. 24B illustrate steps that are performedby the advertisement selling programming of the central system toassociate prices with fixed-price geosynchrons being offered for sale bythe system. As indicated by these numerals, the programming canautomatically fix the price of geosynchrons based on a plurality offactors including: auction prices for comparable geosynchrons, asindicated by 500; the percent of similar geosynchrons which it sold atvarious prices, as indicated by 502; the demographics, display traffic,viewer traffic, auction prices, click through on the system's websitesfor ads shown in similar geosynchrons, time, and other relevantattributes associated with the geosynchron, as indicated by the numeral504; and by human set prices which have been entered into the system byits operators.

One of the ways in which the system can automatically set appropriateprices for geosynchrons, given the possibly greatly varying interest fordifferent types of geosynchrons at different times, is to mix auctionedand fixed-price selling of geosynchrons for similar times, or for timeswhich are time sliced with the fixed-price geosynchrons to be sold. Thesystem could use changes in auction prices for similar geosynchrons toindicate that a change in fixed-price should be made for suchgeosynchrons.

Another way to automatically set prices for geosynchrons is to have thesystem automatically vary the price for similar geosynchrons over timeso as to automatically develop a demand curve for such geosynchrons, andbased upon such a demand curve to automatically pick prices which arelikely to maximize profitability.

As indicated in FIG. 28, in some embodiments of the invention, thecentral system's advertisement selling site will have a public, or open,API, or application programmer interface, to enable third party softwaredesigned to run on clients of the site to automatically interface withits programming. There are many known methods for enabling programmingrunning on a client computer to interact with programming running on aserver computer. Any of these known methods, or any such methoddeveloped in the future, can be used to give the central systemsadvertising selling site an API with which third party programmingrunning on client computers can interact.

FIG. 28 represents some of the functionality of one such API 674. It isto be understood that in other embodiments of the invention differentsets of API functions could be provided.

The API of FIG. 28 includes multiple functions designed to interface toaspects of the central system's geosynchron selling programmingdescribed above with regard to FIGS. 24 through 27. For example, theselectGeosynchrons function 675, shown in FIG. 28, is designed to enablethird parties client software to interface with the functionalityprovided to users through the geosynchron selection interface 582,described above with regard to FIG. twenty-six. Although not shown inFIG. 28, the API preferably also includes the capability for interfacingwith the functionality of the geosynchron display interface 508, shownin FIG. 25, as well as the purchase optimization interface 652, shown inFIG. 27.

The bidForGeosynchron function 676 of FIG. 28 enables a user to place abid for a given geosynchron. The showCurrent GeosynchronBid function 677enables a third party program to find the current value of the highestbid for a given geosynchron. The uploadad function 678 enables anauthorized user to upload an advertisement message for storage in thedisplay message storage area 130 of the central system, which is shownin FIG. 18. The pickAdForGeosynchron function 679 enables an advertiser,who has a geosynchron ownership ID indicating he has the right todetermine the one or more messages to be displayed during a givengeosynchron, to associate an ad ID, which has been returned by aprevious performance of an uploadad function 678, with that geosynchron.The getGeonForCensusBlock function 680, the getGeonForCoordinatesfunction 631, and the getGeonForAddress function 682, respectively,return the identification of a Geon corresponding to a given censusblock, to a given set of coordinates, and to a given address. As statedabove, a geon corresponds to one or more geosynchron's location,independently of time or other conditions. The getGeosynchronForGeonfunction 683 returns the geosynchronID of the geosynchron associatedwith a given geon at a given time. The getInfoOnGeosynchron function 684returns a set of information on a given geosynchron defined by the infoform field.

The getInfoOnGeon function 685 is equivalent to the function 684 exceptthat it relates to a geon rather than to a geosynchron. ThegetAccountInfo function 686 enables an advertiser to get informationabout their current account in one or more form specified by the infoform field. The resellGeosynchron function 687 enables a user to place ageosynchron for which it has the geosynchron ownership ID up for resalewithin the system. The getGeosynchronDisplayInfo function 688 enables anauthorized advertiser who had ownership of a geosynchrons at the time itwas displayed to obtain information about that display. This informationcan include, among other items: the length of time the advertiser'smessages were shown during the geosynchrons; which of one or morepossible messages were actually shown; the time durations during whicheach was shown; video shot by the display unit's camera during thedisplay; and/or demographic information or statistics which have beenautomatically extracted from such video by visual recognitiontechniques.

As indicated in FIG. 59, in some embodiments of the invention, thecentral system has a public, or open, API, or application programmerinterface, to enable third party software designed to run on displayunits that operate under the control of the central system.

Having such a publicly available programmers interface could be used byoperators of the central system to increase the availability and costcompetitiveness of display units capable of showing its messages. Forexample, it is possible that the owners of the central system would notown all, or any, of the message showing system's display units, butinstead would share a portion of earnings generated by such displayunits with their operators, as is discussed below with regard to FIG.63. In such a case having an openly defined interface between thecentral system and display units would increase the likelihood that amarket place with multiple vendors would develop to provide displayunits.

FIG. 59 is a highly schematic partial representation of one suchpossible interface 1220 is shown. It includes two classes of messages,the messages 1222 which define communication from the central system toa display unit, and the messages 1230 which define communication fromthe display unit to the central system.

The message definition 1124 defines a message from the central systemfor telling a display unit the IDs of message to display, similar to thedisplay-selection message shown in FIG. 10. The message definition 1226is a caching message for instructing a mobile unit to cache the contentfor a specified set of messages. The locator signal period message 1128,defines a message in which the central system tells a display unit howoften it is send locator signals of the type described above in FIG. 12.

Among the definition of messages to be sent by a display unit to thecentral system are locator signal messages of the type shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 29 displays programming 694 which the central system's Internetsite can use with regard to the selling of personal messages, such asbirthday, anniversary, graduation, wedding, death, and or birthannouncements or messages or pronouncements of love. In some embodimentsof the invention, there need not be a distinction between such personalmessages and advertisements associated with business concerns. But insome embodiments it might be desirable to have special softwarededicated to special types of ads, including such personal messages,classified ads, or the traditional personal ads associated with thoselooking for people to date or marry.

In the personal message selling programming of FIG. 29, if a personselects to purchase a personal message, step 695 causes steps 696through 703 to be performed.

Step 696 provides an interface to users enabling them to either uploadthe message desired to be displayed, or to select to compose and/or edita personal message. If the user selects to compose and/or edit apersonal message, then an interface will be provided which enables theperson to produce a greeting in a manner somewhat similar to thatprovided by current Internet greeting card sites such as that operatedby BlueMountain.com. In many embodiments the interface will eitherinclude software to decrease the likelihood of messages that containobscenities or which would otherwise be offensive, or providesmechanisms for one or more humans to review such messages before theyare shown, so as to ensure that they are not offensive.

Step 697 provides an interface to allow users to see informationassociated with various personal announcement geosynchrons, such as theprice of such geosynchrons, their demographics, and their audience. Thisinterface can include many of the features provided for the purchase ofcommercial advertisements described above.

Step 698 provides an interface allowing users to see the location anddestination, if available, of mobile and fixed display units near one ormore given locations which have personal announcement geosynchronavailabilities. This is useful for people who want to show a personalmessage near a fixed display at any point in the future, and is likelyto be useful to people who want to show a personal message via mobiledisplays in the near future.

Step 699 provides an interface allowing a user to select the one or moregeosynchrons in which his or her personal message is to be displayed.

As indicated by numeral 700, the user can select to have the messagedisplayed at a selected fixed time, location, and duration. If thelocation of the geosynchrons is that of a fixed display, the messagewill be shown on that display at exactly the selected time and duration.If the geosynchron is one for mobile units, the message will bedisplayed by one or more mobile units that travels through thatgeosynchron's location during the selected time duration.

As indicated by numeral 701, the user can select that the message bedisplayed automatically upon proximity to a given wireless device,provided the wireless device is of a variety that can be used toautomatically indicate its own location to the system. For example, thiswould enable a person to send a personal message to a person whonormally carries such a portable device with them when the person is inclose proximity to one or more display units. In some embodiments, thesystem can be programmed by the person ordering the public display ofsuch personal message to automatically have a private message sent tothe recipient of the message, such as to his or her wireless phone orPDA, to notify him or her to look at the public message, and/or toprovide other information in association with the message, such as voiceinformation synchronized with the visual display.

As indicated by the numeral 702, the user can select to have thepersonal message triggered at an exact time and location indicated by auser command, such as by a message sent from the Internet, from a phone,or from a wireless device such as an i-phone or a PDA. For example, thiswill enable a person who is eating in an outside restaurant with a dateto indicate the time at which she or he wishes a fixed or mobile unit ina desirable location to display her or his personal message to her orhis date.

As indicated by numeral 703, the programming of FIG. 29 also provides aninterface for billing the user for a personal message, such as bycharging the cost of the message to a credit card.

FIG. 30 represents programming 705 in the central system to enable it torespond to people who have seen messages shown on its display units. Asindicated by step 706, and the steps below it, the software includesprogramming to enable it to respond differently to different types of adresponse messages. Such ad response messages can be sent by multipletypes of devices, including, for example, wireless data devices,wireless telephones, landline phones, Internet devices, or localcommunication devices of the type discussed above with regard to thelocal communication devices 382, shown in FIGS. 20 through 22.

If the central system receives an ad response message specifying thetime and location of an advertisement the person sending the ad responsemessage is interested in, step 718 will cause steps 719 and 720 to beperformed. Step 719 records the time and location of the message beingresponded to. Then, step 720 sends the client device which sent themessage the identification of, and an interface enabling the user toselect one of, a plurality of messages shown near the location and timeindicated, as well as a standard ad response interface. The standard adresponse interface enables user to send another ad response messagespecifying a different time and place associated with the displaymessage he or she is interested in responding to, as well as links toother aspects of the central system's network site. If there has onlybeen one message shown near the time and place specified in the adresponse message received, the system will respond accordingly.

In many embodiments of the invention, the time and location associatedwith such an ad response can be determined automatically without theneed for the individual sending such a message to enter suchinformation. For example, if users of certain types of wireless devicestransmit messages to the central system when they see the display of amessage in which they are interested, the central system willautomatically be able to determine the approximate time of theadvertisement in which they are interested by the time of the receipt ofthe message and the approximate location of the message by the automaticlocation sensing features which are provided by certain wirelessnetworks. This makes it easy for users to respond to any display messagethey see merely by contacting one address, whether it be a phone number,a web address, or other network address.

If a message received from a client system is an ad selection messagegenerated when a user selects one of the plurality of display messagessent back to him by step 720, step 721 causes steps 722 through 724 tobe performed. Step 722 records the user's selection of the desiredmessage. This information is used not only for developing statisticsabout user responses, but also for the purpose of billing merchants foradvertisements that have been responded to. Then step 762 responds tothe selection of a given message by transmitting to the client devicethat has sent the ad selection message the selected message's associateduser response.

As indicated by numerals 764 through 780, this response can includeadditional information about the selected message; an instant messagingmessage which can create a chat box for communication between the userand the central system or the advertiser of the selected message; anelectronic coupon which entitles the user to free products or servicesor discounts on such products or services in association with themessage; a map to the advertiser's store (or to the advertiser's neareststore in some cases); a direct connection or a link to the advertiser'sweb site; a phone connection to the advertiser; audio associated withthe selected message; an interface to enable the user to select from anyof the above options; and links to other aspects of the central system'sInternet site.

As indicated by steps 725 and 726, if the central system receives acoupon redemption message from a merchant, information such as theidentity of the merchant, the coupon ID, and the time will be recordedfor bookkeeping and statistical analysis purposes. In some embodimentsof the invention, merchants will be billed for the redemption of anycoupons distributed by the system.

It is not necessary in all embodiments that coupon messages be reportedto the central system in order for users to receive the savingsassociated with them. But many advertisers desire to pay foradvertisements based on their effectiveness, and a user's conversion ofan electronic coupon would provide an effective means for showing theeffectiveness of the system's advertisements. In some embodiments of theinvention the central system will actually credit money to a user'scredit card account when a coupon redemption message is received from amerchant. This can be done to decrease the chance that merchants willfail to report the redeeming of coupons.

If the central system receives a “shown me” request, step 746 causessteps 748 and 750 to be performed. Step 748 tests to see if the locationof the requester can be identified with sufficient accuracy, such asthrough the location capability which is built into some wirelesssystems, and, if so, whether or not the display system's messageschedule allows the display of a “show me” image. If so, step 750 causesthe local display unit's camera 380 or 380A, of the type shown in FIGS.20 through 22, to take a picture of the location associated with thesource of the request and to display it on one or more of its displayscreens.

If the system has available gesture recognition software, it can beprogrammed to have its cameras point toward and zoom in on individualsin the identified location who are waving at the display or making someother gesture or behavior toward the display which indicates that theyare the person who has generated the “show me” request.

The purpose of this “show me” feature is to encourage people to look atand interact with the systems display units. In some embodiments of theinvention, if the system knows the identity of the owner of the devicesending the “show me” request, it can label the image with that name,such as by showing an image of the requesting person with text such as“Hi, John Smith”.

In many embodiments of the invention, the display control programming360, shown in FIG. 18, controls which messages are to be shown by agiven mobile unit based on more than just the location and time. Theother factors which can be taken into account in determining whichmessages should be displayed can include the identity of, the number of,and or the closeness of wireless units whose location and identity canbe automatically detected by a wireless network; speed or otheroperating characteristics of the mobile unit upon which the display isto be made; weather conditions; the number of people in the audience;the occurrence of certain events near the location of the display, suchas and accident, fire, traffic jam, sporting event, entertainment event,etc.

FIG. 31 illustrates a portion of the central system's locator signalresponse programming in one embodiment of the invention which is similarto the programming described above with regard to FIG. 16, except thatit has been modified to take into account the presence of wireless unitsnear the location of a display unit in determining which messages shouldbe shown on that unit. All of the portions of the programming 280A areidentical to the corresponding portions of the programming 280 shown inFIG. 16, except for the portions that are shown in FIG. 31. In FIG. 31the programming includes an additional step 790, which obtainsinformation from a wireless network about the identity, number, and/orcloseness of wireless units near the location of a given mobile unit towhich the central system is responding. In some embodiments of theinvention, the step 790 will only be taken if the schedule currentlyallows for messages at the current location of the mobile unit thatdepend on the nearby presence of wireless devices.

Then, step 292A tests whether or not the mobile unit is in a geon, orgeographic zone, for which a different display message should be shownthan those which the locator signal indicates that the mobile unit iscurrently displaying, or if the identity, number, and or closeness ofwireless units near the mobile unit indicates that a different messageshould be shown. If this is the case, then step 294A selects the displaymessage to be shown by the mobile unit based on the sound, current time,and identity, number, and closeness of wireless units identified in thearea. It does this by referring to a message schedule 144A of the typeshown in FIG. 18. This message schedule indicates which messages are tobe shown at which geon's at which time under different conditionsrelating to the identity, number, and or closeness of nearby wirelessunits.

The programming of FIG. 31 will enable a display unit to displaymessages that are addressed to one or more particular individuals whosewireless units are detected near it. For example, such messages couldinclude the name of such an individual or even perhaps a picture of himor her. Also, the subject matter of messages can be altered to reflectthe identity of one or more people whose wireless devices have beendetected near the given display unit. Furthermore, the visualcharacteristics of the displayed message can be altered based on thedistance of such people from the display unit. Thus, if the wirelessdevices detected are located far from the display a message with largeimages and letters could be used, whereas if they are close to thedisplay a message containing smaller image features and text could beshown.

FIG. 32 is similar to FIG. 31 except that in it the central system'slocator signal response programming 280B takes into account informationabout the speed of the mobile unit in step 792 and uses that informationin steps 792B and 794B in selecting which display messages are to beshown on the mobile unit. In some embodiments of the invention,information about the relative difference between the speed of a givendisplay unit, whether be fixed or mobile, and people in its potentialaudience could be used instead of just the speed of the display itself.For example, the unit or fixed display might alter the messages it isdisplaying based on the speed of traffic going by it. Such relativespeed can be determined by multiple methods, such as by use of a displayunit's cameras, or by determining the speed of wireless units that aretraveling past the display unit inside passing vehicles.

In other embodiments of the invention which operate more like the mobiledisplay system described in the Cohen patent, in which decisions aboutwhich messages are shown in which geographic zones at which times aremade by computers on mobile units themselves, other factors such as theidentity, number, and or closeness of wireless units near a mobile unit,or the speed or other operating conditions of a mobile unit can be usedby such a mobile unit itself in deciding which messages should bedisplayed at what times. In many such embodiments of the invention, thecentral system would normally send down multiple messages for a givengeosynchron and the mobile unit itself would decide which of thesevarious messages were to be display at a given time and place.

FIG. 33 illustrates some of the programming 794 which can be used by thecontroller of a mobile unit that contains one or more cameras 380 of thetype shown in FIGS. 20 and 21.

FIG. 60 shown how the cameras 380 mounted on mobile display units 104and a camera mounted on a fixed display unit 346 can be used to deriveimage information. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 60 the mobile displayunit has a set to box similar to that shown in FIGS. 3-6, having twolonger side displays 142 and one shorter back display 144. It has acamera 380 positioned to see the potential audience for each suchdisplay, and a front pointing camera as well to get a better view ofon-coming traffic and weather in the direction in which the vehicle istraveling. The fixed display unit has a camera 380A that is positionedto see people how can see its display, as well as to monitor traffic andsee the weather.

This programming includes a step 796 that uploads images from the camerato the central system. In many embodiments only selected images will beuploaded and they will be compressed before being uploaded to reducecommunication bandwidth requirements. In some embodiments of theinvention some or all of this uploading will be performed when a mobileunit is parked for the night through means of a landline connection,such as a cable modem, DSL, or other wired data connection to thecentral system. Most current wireless transmission standards stillprovide very low bandwidth. But, it is technically feasible to buildhigh bandwidth wireless systems today, and within several years it isexpected that widely available wireless networks will provide asufficiently high bandwidth to enable mobile units to upload real-timestill and video images to the central system.

Step 398 of FIG. 33 uses comparison with one or more portions of the 3-Dmetropolitan image created by the system to help the computers on themobile unit more accurately recognize what parts of the image itscameras are capturing correspond to cars and people, which, of course,are not normally part of the permanent 3-D model. This helps a systemperform audience and traffic counts since it makes it easier todetermine which parts of an image correspond to people, to cars, and tothe relatively constant aspects of a given street location. Thecomparison of video being captured by the unit's camera with thesystem's video database also reduces the amount of information thatneeds to be uploaded, since in many instances much of the informationbeing imaged is already contained in the system's visual database. Withcurrent technology, it would be expensive to store a detailed visualdatabase of an entire city within a mobile unit, but within five to tenyears all or a significant part of such a database should fit within onehard drive. Also, within several years standard wireless networkbandwidth will be high enough to enable the central system to downloadto a mobile unit the portions of a city's visual database as needed forsuch comparisons. At the present, it would be possible to store aportion of a city's visual database on a mobile unit for purposes ofsuch comparison.

As indicated by steps 799 and 800 in FIG. 33, if the unit receives a“shown me” request, either directly from a local communication device,or indirectly through the central system, the mobile unit will cause itscamera to take a picture of the location associated with the devicegenerating a request, as described above with regard to steps 746through 750 of FIG. 30.

As indicated by steps 800 and 804, if the mobile unit receives a messagefrom the central system instructing it to take a picture of a givenlocation from a given angle and at a given zoom setting, it will do so.Such messages might be generated by the central system, if it is beenrequested by users of the system to obtain pictures of specificlocations in a metropolitan area, or if the central system desiresparticular information to improve its image database of the metropolitanarea.

As indicated by steps 806 and 808, if certain specific conditions aremet, the mobile unit will show images recorded by it's one or morecameras on its display screen. Normally these will be live images, butthey can also be previously recorded images. One of the conditions,which can give rise to the display of such images, is that of a “showme” request described above with regard to steps 799 and 800. Cameraimages might also be shown on the units display to draw attention to thedisplay or as part of contests that provide incentives to persons whowave or display designated signs toward a mobile or fixed unit with acamera. Rewards might be as small as a zoomed close-up of the personwaving, and or might be as large as a significant prize.

As indicated by step 810, in some embodiments of the invention thecomputer on a mobile unit might compare the image being derived from itsone or more cameras against 3-D projections from the systems 3-D modelof the metropolitan area to help the mobile unit determined its exactposition. Such a system can be used in conjunction with, orindependently of, other locating systems, such as the GPS system 146,shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. When operating in a location for which thecentral system already has a good 3-D image model, this will enable thesystem to determine very accurately the mobile unit's location. It alsohas the advantage of being able to operate in locations where GPSsignals are difficult to receive, such as in tunnels or in the shadowsof some buildings.

Step 1200 includes the use of vision recognition software or hardware toextract image information from a vehicle's camera images. As indicatedby numeral 1202 this image information can include estimates of audienceinformation, such as information about number, type, distance, relativespeed, and activity of any people in an area near each display, as wellas the make, model, and year and relative speed of any vehicles in suchviews. In FIG. 60 the some of the people 1240 which are representedsymbolically in that figure have cross-hatching (numbered 1240A) andsome have dots (numbered 1240B) to represent how the cameras associatedwith displays can have views of different types of people. Currentvision recognition is good enough to recognize people in images, torecognize expressions on faces, to recognize size of people recognized,their distance from camera (particularly if multiple cameras or otherrange finding equipment is provided) to estimate skin color, and toperform many other tasks which are valuable in classifying potentialaudiences for displays.

As indicated by numeral 1204 the image information extracted by machinecan include estimates of traffic information based on the number, speed,and relative speed of vehicles. As indicated by numeral 1206 theextracted image information can include estimates of weathercharacteristics. Once such information has been extracted, it can beuploaded to the central system where it can be used to derive or add todemographic, traffic, and weather databases.

As indicated by numerals 1210 and 1212, if auto-placement is in use,such as the auto-placement discussed below with regard to FIGS. 65 and66, the audience, traffic, or weather information derived from imagescan be used to select which display message to show as a function ofcustomer selected criteria.

FIG. 34 represents programming 812 relating to the use of the system'scameras that is performed by the central system.

It should be understood that in different embodiments of the invention adifferent distribution of the functionality shown in FIGS. 32 and 33 canbe made between the computers of local display units, such as fixed andmobile units, and the computers of the central system. For example, insome embodiments of the invention vision recognition can be performed atthe central system, although this has the disadvantage of requiring arelatively large bandwidth for the upload of information, or therequirement of low resolution or low frequency image uploads. In someembodiments of the invention, information can be derived from uploadedimages by human vision recognition rather than machine recognition.

As indicated by step 814, the central system will record images or imageinformation uploaded from mobile and fixed display units and,preferably, records the time and location of each such recording. Theserecordings are used to provide historic information about traffic,weather, and audiences at given locations and times, as is describedbelow with regard to FIG. 34's step 1216. It can also be used forpreparation of the system's 3-D graphics model of the metropolitan area.

As indicated by step 816, the system uses 2-D-to-3-D software to createor update a 3-D model of the metropolitan area based on images uploadedin step 814. In many embodiments, this process removes moving objects ifpossible, and updates the 3-D model to take into account changes in themetropolitan scene, such as the construction of new buildings.

The cost of storing a 3-D image of large metropolitan area is currentlyinexpensive enough to make it practical. For example, a fairly highresolution 3-D image of the length of every street in a 40 mile by 40mile metropolitan area having a street every 500 feet in both thenorth-south and east-west directions should take no more than 10terabytes, which cost no more than several hundred thousand dollars instorage costs at year 2000 prices. The cost of hard disk storage isexpected to continue to drop sharply for years to come, meaning that byapproximately the year 2010 it is expected that 10 terabytes will fit onone hard drive.

In many embodiments of the invention, such a 3-D map of the city wouldbe labeled with other information, such as the location of importantbuildings, bridges, tunnels, airports, train stations, subway stops,sports stadiums, street names, and street addresses. The integration ofthis data with such a 3-D map would create very valuable content thatcould be licensed or sold by the central system to third parties.

Also, such a database could draw users to the central system's ownwebsite. This could generate profit through advertising on the websiteitself, as well as by drawing the attention of advertisers and audiencesto the system's outdoor displays.

Such a 3-D map of the city can be used to give people visual directionson how to get to given places, including drivers of the systems mobileunits. It can be used to provide virtual travel through a givenmetropolitan area, which can be helpful to enable tourists, people whoare considering moving to given metropolitan area, and those who arelooking for housing, to learn about the various parts of such an area.The virtual image can also be used to record changes to the metropolitanarea over time.

As indicated by step 818, the programming on the central system can usevisual recognition software to estimate the number of people in thevicinity of the given display and record them as audience estimates forthe geosynchrons corresponding to the locations and times at which thepictures are taken. Such information can be used to help advertisersestimate which are desirable locations to advertising given times, andcan be used by the system to help determine the prices which are to becharged for various geosynchrons. In addition such statistics can besupplied to advertisers to let them see what the actual audiences werefor the display of their advertisements in various geosynchrons.

As indicated by step 820, if visual recognition has not be performed bythe display unit uploading image information, the central system can usevisual recognition programming or hardware to estimate the number ofvehicles, the speed of vehicles, and other traffic conditions at a giventime and place, and record them in the central system's trafficdatabase. Of course, visual images of the traffic themselves can also bestored in the traffic database. This database enables the drivers of thesystem's mobile units to find more effective routes at various times andplaces, and provides valuable media content, which can be sold by thecentral system, which can be used to attract audiences to its website,or which can be displayed on the outdoor displays of the system.

As indicated by step 822, the central system uses visual recognitionsoftware to estimate weather conditions and record conditions in aweather database that is associated with the time and location in whichsuch images were recorded. In addition, visual images of the weather canbe stored in this database. Like the information in the trafficdatabase, the information in the weather database can be used to helpdrivers of the system's mobile units; can function as valuable mediacontent which can be sold or licensed by the central system; can be usedto attract audiences to its website; and/or can be displayed on itsoutdoor displays.

As indicated by steps 823 through 838, the programming of the centralsystem can use visual recognition to vary the messages shown by itsmobile units'displays based on different conditions determined fromimages derived from the systems' cameras, including: estimations of thenumber people who can see the display; estimations of the speed ofvehicle or nearby vehicles; estimations of the age, sex, race, socialclass of people around the display; estimations of current weatherconditions; and estimations of current lighting conditions.

As indicated by steps 838 through 842, the central system can use visionrecognition techniques to detect the behavior of persons in the vicinityof one of its displays, including behaviors relative to the display, andrespond accordingly to such behaviors which indicate recognition by aperson of the display or attention toward it. Such behavior couldinclude waving toward the display, pointing ones hand toward thedisplay, pointing ones head toward the display, having one's eyeslooking toward the display, or making a specified gesture which thesystem has informed people will cause the system to respond to them. Ifthe system detects such behavior from a person in its images, step 842can respond by giving such a person a reward, if they identifythemselves, such as through use of a wireless device, or if the displayis a fixed display by entering information on an input device associatedwith that display, or by later contacting the system's website andproviding photographs which correspond sufficiently to the images ofthem taken by the display's camera. As indicated by step 842, when thesystem detects a person making a particular behavior toward it, such aslooking at or waving at the system, the display can show a picture ofthat person. Also as is indicated in step 843, the system can record theperson's sign of recognition toward the display for statisticalpurposes, such as showing advertisers the number of people who look ator respond to the system's display.

As indicated by step 844, the central system responds to input fromusers of the system—whether they be operators of the central system orusers making such requests over the central systems' Internetsite—requesting that given images be taken in given locations byinstructing mobile units in such locations to take such images,including, in some embodiments, a description of the angle and zoomdesired of the given location. If this is done, it will cause steps 802and 804 of the mobile unit to respond by taking the desired image oncethe unit is in the desired location.

FIG. 35 illustrates the central system's programming 846 forsynchronizing displays between multiple different display units. If thecurrent location of two display units is close enough to be seen by thesame people, and if other conditions, such as scheduling and locationconditions, are right, then step 848 causes steps 850 through 858 tocause a synchronous display to take place. The display units involvedcan be multiple mobile units, one or more mobile units and one or morefixed units, or two or more fixed units.

If these conditions are met, step 850 instructs the displays which areclose to each other to display a message in synchronism.

As indicated by steps 852 and 854, if the message to be displayed insynchronism is designed for simple synchronism, the central systemmerely instructs the involved local displays to display the message atthe same time.

As indicated by steps 856 and 858, if the message is designed forping-ponging, the system will instructs the various local displaysinvolved to display the message in a ping-ponging manner where first onedisplay shows part of the message and then another display of the groupdisplay another part of the message. Although not shown in FIG. 35 othertypes of synchronous displays can be used. For example, when two cabsbelonging to the system cross each other in traffic they could send eachother a “salute”, such as one in which both cabs blink the centralsystem's company logo at an increasingly rapid rate until the two cabspass each other, at which point a synchronized climactic message can beshown advertising the central system's company and capabilities. Anotherform of synchronous display is, if two or more mobile units aretraveling one behind the other, a synchronized message display methodcould be used which could have successive mobile units carry successiveparts of a sequential message. Furthermore, different types ortechniques of synchronous display could be combined in the display ofone synchronous message.

The purpose of such a synchronized displays is to capture the attentionof potential viewers toward the display system and the messages itshows. In some cases, the synchronized messages will be advertisementsfor the system itself. In other instances, advertisers will pay for suchsynchronized messages. In other embodiments of the invention, thecontrol of synchronized messages could be controlled directly by thecomputers on one or more local display units themselves.

FIG. 36 illustrates programming 860 in the central system for showinglocation varying messages. A location-varying message is a message, suchas an advertisement for a store, comprised of one or more differentpossible successions of images that are selected or timed by software inresponse to changes in location of the mobile unit showing such amessage during its display.

As indicated in FIG. 36, if the central system detects that the locationof a mobile unit is close enough to a specific location for the displayof a location varying message, and if other conditions, such asavailability for such a message in the message schedule, allow thedisplay of such a message, steps 862 and 864 will instruct the mobiledisplay to show a location varying message appropriate for that specificlocation.

FIG. 37 illustrates programming 866 in a mobile unit for displaying sucha location-varying message. This program includes step 867 that respondto an instruction from the central system to display a given locationvarying message by causing steps 868 through 872 to be performed. Step868 starts the display of the message. During this display a loop 867causes steps 870 and 872 to be repeatedly performed. Step 870 continuesto obtain information about the mobile unit's current location. Step 872responds to such information about the mobile units location by varyingthe display of successive images in the location-varying message as afunction of such changing location information.

In some embodiments of the invention, the location varying messages willbe animations, such as vector-based animations created using Flash orShockwave programming provided by Macromedia, Inc. of San Francisco,Calif., or programmable video, which vary the image displayed inresponse to software commands. Such location varying messages can beused, for example, to count down the distance to a particular location,such as advertiser's store. In other instances, such messages mightinclude images which have a moving pointer which points at a givenlocation as a mobile unit drives past it. Such location-varying messagecan be quite effective at drawing attention toward a particularlocation, such as an advertiser's store. If a store location has a fixedexternal display, it would be possible for a mobile unit passing thatdisplay and the fixed display to both show a location varying messageswhich varies as a function of the motion of the mobile unit, using oneof the forms of synchronism described above with regard to FIG. 35.

In some embodiments of the invention, the mobile unit makes the decisionas to whether or not to display a location-varying message, rather thanthe central system. This would be particularly true of embodiments ofthe invention, such as those described in the Cohen patent, in whichmobile units determine which messages they are to show at which timebased on a message schedule and geographic zone map which they carrywith them.

FIG. 38, 39A, and 39B illustrate additional programming that can be usedby a mobile unit and a central system for a system in which mobile unitsfunction as taxicabs. When this specification refers to taxis or cabs,it is also meant to include other vehicles that are hired to takepersons to selected destinations such as limousines, or hired vans orbuses.

FIG. 38 illustrates some of the specific additional programming 874which can be used by cab mobile units.

If the driver inputs a new destination for the vehicle into a driverinput of the type 392 shown in FIG. 21, step 875 causes steps 876 and877 to be performed. Step 876 indicates the new destination on thedriver's display 386 shown in FIG. 21 (and in some embodiments, on anexternal display of the taxi cab unit). Step 877 transmits the newdestination to the central system.

If the driver enters a new status into the driver input 392 shown inFIG. 21, such as whether the vehicle is off-duty, traveling to pick up afare, or traveling with a fare to the fare's desired destination, thenstep 878 will cause steps 879 through 890 to be performed. Step 879 willindicate the change in status on the driver's displayed 386 shown inFIG. 21 (and, in many embodiments, on some sort of external displayassociated with a mobile unit). Then, step 890 will transmit the statuschange to the central system.

If a fare is being earned by the cab, step 891 will cause step 892 todisplay such fare information on the driver's (and, in some embodiments,the passenger's) display, and step 893 will transmit that fareinformation to the central system.

If the driver signals a given emergency type by providing input into thedriver input 392 shown in FIG. 21, depending upon the type of emergency,steps 896 through 902 will send a message to the central system andpolice station indicating the mobile unit's vehicle ID, the driver'sname, and the type of emergency; turn on one or more audio listeningdevices, such as the driver and passenger microphones 390 and 406 shownin FIG. 21, and record and/or broadcast such information to the centralstation or police station. This step can also record and/or broadcastimages from the mobile unit's cameras. Such recording and/orbroadcasting is performed to help record what is happening in theemergency, and if somebody is at criminal fault, to help record who thatperson might be. Such recording and/or broadcasting can also be used todiscourage further criminal behavior by causing both the driver andpassenger displays and speakers to sound alarm and generate messagesstating that video and audio record is taking place. In some types ofemergency's step 902 will respond by having the external display on amobile unit show a message appropriate for the emergency type. Forexample, if the emergency type indicates that the mobile unit's driveris being robbed or physically threatening, the external displays couldflash, and if the cab has an external speaker it speaker can sound andalarm which would tend to draw attention to the cab and scare anypotential assailant away.

FIGS. 39A and 39B indicate additional programming 904 that can be usedby the central system when units are used as taxis. As indicated insteps 906 through 912, each time the central system receives informationon the location of a cab, such as from a locator signal of the typedescribed above with regard to FIGS. 9, 12, 13, and 16, the system willrecord in a cab database this location along with the cab's ID and thecurrent time. Then it will update the representation of the cab'slocation in a cab location display that is available both to those whomight wish to hire a cab over the Internet, and to those who operate thecab system.

If the central system receives information on a new destination for ataxi in response to steps 875 through 888 of FIG. 38, then step 912 willcause steps 914 through 918 to be performed. Step 914 records the newdestination into the cab database, along with the ID of the cab thatsent the message and the current time. Step 916 calculates one or moreof the best routes to the destination, considering factors such as thecab's current location, the time, current traffic information, thehistory of traffic at similar times in the past, advertising demand atvarious locations, and the cost and time associated with various routes.Then, in step 918, the central system transmits one or more of suchroutes, with the calculated time cost and earnings, to the cab fordisplay to the driver on the driver display 386.

As indicated by steps 920 and 921, if the central system receivesinformation on a change in a cab's status, as a result of the operationof steps 878 through 890 of FIG. 38, it will record that informationinto the cab database with the cab's ID and the current time. Then itwill update the representation of the cab's status in the cab locationdisplay that is available both to those who might wish to hire a cabover the Internet and to those who operate the cab system.

As indicated by steps 922 and 923, if the central system receivesinformation about a cab fare that is being earned or that has been paid,this information is recorded in association with the ID of the cab andthe current time in the cab database.

As indicated by numerals 924 through 932 in FIG. 39, the central systemaggregates from information recorded in its cab database information onsuch topics as the productivity of individual drivers, the productivityof individual locations, traffic flows at given locations and times, andcurrent availability of cabs.

As is indicated by steps 934 through 938, the central system calculatesfrom information in its cab database information about the best placefor a cab to wait for passengers based on the number of pickups and thedestination of those pickups at various locations at various times inthe past and also based on information recently entered into the cabdatabase by various cabs.

As indicated by numerals 940 through 944, if a driver in a cab uses thesystem to request information on where to wait for pickups, the systemcalculates information on the best place for the cab to wait to pick upa passenger given the cab's current location and given informationcalculated in steps 934 in through 938, and then sends that informationto the cab, for display on the cab's driver display 386 or more forannouncement on the driver speaker 388, both of which are shown in FIG.21.

If the central system receives a request to see the location of cabs ina given area, such as from potential fares accessing the central systemover the Internet, step 946 and 948 will send out an image showing thecurrent locations of cabs in that vicinity from information in the cabdatabase. This information may be sent out either in graphical, mapped,or list form.

If the central system receives a request, such as over the Internet froma potential fare, for an estimate of how long it will take for a cab toreach a given location to make a pickup, steps 950 through 954 willcalculates an estimate of that time based on the location of availablecabs or of cab which will soon be available, the location of therequested pick up, current traffic and weather information, andhistorical traffic information for the locations involved. In someembodiments, the estimate will include a range of probable times withthe probabilities of different values in the range being set forth.

As indicated by steps 956 through 960, if the system receives a request,such as over the Internet, for an estimate for how long it will take fora cab, once it picks up a fare to travel from one location to another ata given time, the system automatically calculates how long such a tripis likely to take given the current traffic and weather information andgiven historical traffic information for the locations involved, andthen sends this information to the requester. As with the request forinformation about how long it will be for cab to pick a fare up, theestimate could include a range of estimated travel times with aprobability associated with each such time.

If the system receives a request, such as from over the Internet, to seehistorical information on how long it takes to go from one location toanother by cab, step 962 and 964 will send out a page in response tothat request enabling a user to obtain historical information from thecab database about the length of time for such trips in the past atvarious selected times and weather conditions.

As shown in FIG. 39B, if the central system receives a request to pickup a fare at a first location for a trip to a second location as soon aspossible, step 966 will cause step 968 through 984 to be performed. Step968 determines which, if any, cabs are free or are likely to be freesoon and their locations from the cab database. Then, a step 970calculates the likely time for the closest of such cabs to reach thefirst location. Then, step 972 calculates the likely time of a trip fromthe first location to the second location, taking into account currenttraffic and weather conditions and past historical traffic information.Then, step 974 sends the user information on such cab time calculationsand asks the user if she or he wants to commit to booking such a cabtrip.

If the user selects to do so, step 976 causes steps 978 through 984 tobe performed. Step 978 informs the driver of the expected fare andconfirms that he or she will take it. If the driver confirms that hewill take the fare, step 980 will cause steps numeral 982 and 984 to beperformed. Step 982 sends a message to the cab to change its statusdisplay to show that it is currently booked to pick up a passenger andrecords that change of status in the central system's cab database aswell. Then the system sends the passenger a message that the cab hasbeen booked with a booking URL that allows the passenger to track thestatus of the cab on the central systems Internet web site. In someembodiments of the invention the passenger's credit card account couldbe billed at this time.

As indicated by steps 986 through 922, if the central system receives arequest to find the status of a booked cab, such as one using the URLmentioned above with regard to step 984, the central system will queryto the cab database to find a location of its book cab, with an estimateof the time for the cab to get from its current location to the pick uplocation, and then it will send the requester information containingsuch an estimate, such as, for example, a map showing the pick uplocation, the location and speed of the booked cab, and the estimatedtime of arrival. In some embodiments of the invention, the system mightactually query the driver of the cab to see if he agrees with theestimate of his arrival time before any such message is automaticallysent to the person requesting the cab status.

FIG. 40 illustrates certain functionality, 994, of the overall system,including both mobile units and the central system, relating to therecording and use of traffic information that is found in someembodiments of the invention.

As indicated by numeral 996, this functionality includes having multiplemobile units, each with one or more external displays, that report ontheir own location at successive points in times. Other informationbesides the mobile unit's locations can also be reported, includinginformation obtained from cameras, speed sensors, or other electronicsensing equipment located on each mobile unit.

Once this information has been uploaded to the central system, such asover a wireless network, step 998 causes the central system to recordsuch information relating to vehicle position, time, and speed. If theuploaded information does not explicitly include the vehicle's speed,that information can be calculated overtime by measuring the amount ofdistance between the locations at which a given vehicle make successivereports of its location. As indicated by the numeral 1000, the centralsystem repeatedly calculates the speed of traffic flows at multiplelocations from the information it has recorded in step 998 and fromother information which is available to it, such as from other sourcesof traffic information.

As is indicated by step 1002, the central system transmits the trafficinformation it calculates in step 1000 to mobile units. Then, in step1003, the mobile units display this downloaded information about suchtraffic flows at multiple locations on their own external displays. Itshould be understood that the steps of FIG. 40 could be repeatedcontinuously in an ongoing manner. Such traffic information can providean interesting and valuable source of programming content for use by amobile message display system to help draw visual attention toward itsoutdoor displays.

FIG. 41 is similar to FIG. 40, except that it relates to a system ofmobile units which obtain, and then upload to a central systeminformation they sense about the weather in their own locale, and thenreceive information back from the central system about weather over alarger geographic area, which they then displayed on their externaldisplays.

FIGS. 42 and 43 provide views of one embodiment of a car-top, orrooftop, box 174 that can be used to provide many of the componentsnecessary to convert a standard motor vehicle into a mobile unit for usein a mobile messaging system of the type described above. This car-topbox, when covered by its plastic external shell, which is not shown inFIGS. 42 and 43, has the appearance shown in FIGS. 3 through 6.

The car-top box 174 includes a plurality of components mounted upon abase 1026, which in turn is mounted on the roof of a motor vehiclethrough isolation mounts 1024. These isolation mounts are importantbecause they decrease the amount of vibration that the rooftop boxreceives during the travels of the vehicle to which the rooftop boxesattached, and, therefore, they significantly decrease vibration damageto the components of the unit 174.

The rooftop box includes three separate displays, including two displays142 shown in FIG. 6 on its two long triangular sides and one shorterdisplay 144 on its shorter, back side. The two side displays 142 areeach ganged displays made of three individual LCD display panels 1036,shown in FIG. 42, grouped together to operate as one display. The backdisplay 144 is a ganged display made from two individual LCD displaypanels 1036 grouped together to operate as one display. The multiple LCDdisplay panels 1036 of each display are held in place by a frame 1023.The bottom side of each frame includes a support flange 1032 thatincludes holes through which bolts can be used to secure the frame andthe LCD panels it supports to the base 1026 of the car-top box.

Each LCD display panel has an associated LCD driver board 1021 thatdrives the pixels of that display. Each such display also includes avideo display board 1022 that receives as an input video signalsgenerated by a computer video display board and provides as an outputsignals that drive the LCD drive board 1021. At each of the threecorners of the triangle formed by the three displays 142 and 144, acorner bracket 1025 is used to connect the panels. In some embodimentsof the car-top box a ventilation fan 1027 is provided to cool theelectronics in the car-top box. However, is been found that such aventilation fan is not necessary in all environments.

The car-top box is provided with an industrial grade computer 1030 thatcorresponds to the mobile unit controllers 140 shown in the mobile unitblock diagrams of FIGS. 1, 7, 20, and 21. A wireless CDPD modem 1031 isprovided which corresponds to the wireless system 152 shown in themobile unit block diagrams. An antenna 1035 is provided for the wirelessmodem. A global positioning receiver 1033 is provided which correspondsto the GPS receiver 146 shown in such diagrams.

An ambient light sensor 1034 is provided for each gamged display 142 or144 at a location on the side of the rooftop box in which that displayis located. Each such light sensor is positioned so that it will beunder a transparent window in the rooftop box's plastic cover, so as toenable the ambient light sensor to sense the amount of external lightfalling on its associated display. Information from this light sensor isused to control the amount of brightness applied to the florescentbacklights that are part of the each of the display panels 1036. Thesystem includes a backlighting inverter 1028 associated with each of itseight individual LCD display panels.

FIG. 44 illustrates one of the advantages of a car-top box having atriangular set of displays as is shown in FIGS. 42 and 43. Thisadvantage is the field of view such a rooftop box provides for itsdisplays. In FIG. 44, a top view of a mobile unit 104, similar to thatof FIG. 6, is shown slightly above the center of that figure, with themobile unit's vehicle pointing in a downward direction in the figure.Emanating from the location on the roof of this mobile unitcorresponding to its rooftop box 174 are three triangular shaped areasthat correspond to the zones of view of each of the mobile unit's threedisplays 142 or 144. At the mobile unit's sides are two zones of view142V each associated with one of the mobile unit's two side displays142. Emanating from the rear of this vehicle is a zone of view 144Vassociated with its back display 144. As can be seen from FIG. 44, thiscombination of three displays provides views from all directions exceptthose in front of the mobile unit, in which location the displays mightprove most distracting to oncoming drivers.

In other embodiments of the invention, differently shaped triangularcar-top boxes can be used to provide a similar advantage. For example,all three sides of a triangular car-top box could have similar sizeddisplays, which would have the advantage of making it computationallyeasier to have all three displays show the same message when so desired.

Of course, in other embodiments of the invention, a car-top box can usea shape other than a triangular one for its displays. For example, itcould just have two opposing displays having a longest dimension, whichruns parallel to the length of the vehicle upon which it is mounted. Inother embodiments, the car-top box could have four displays, eachlocated along one side of a rectangular shape, so the mobile unit wouldhave one display visible from each of its front, back, and two sides.

FIGS. 45 and 46 are block diagrams illustrating some of the componentsof the car top box shown in FIGS. 42 and 43.

FIG. 45 shows that the GPS receiver 1033 is connected to an antenna thatis built into its package to receive GPS signals and is also connectedthrough a communication port to the computer 1030. It also shows thatthe CDPD wireless modem 1031 is connected to the antenna 1035 to receiveand transmit wireless transmissions and that this modem is connectedthrough a communication port with the computer 1030, so as to send datait receives from the wireless network to the computer, and to transmitto the wireless network data it receives from the computer.

As shown in FIG. 45 the computer 1030 includes five video ports, threeof which are used to drive three of the panels associated with each ofthe side displays 142, and two of which are used to drive the twodisplays of the rear display 144 shown in FIGS. 42 and 43. As shown inFIG. 45, the three video outputs that go to the two displays 142 gothrough a two-way video splitter 1042 for the purpose of splitting eachsuch video output into two identical video signals, which are sent tocorresponding LCD panels on each of the two displays 142.

FIG. 46 illustrates a block diagram of the electronics associated witheach of the video displays 142. Since each of the video displays 142includes three separate LCD display panels 1036, the block diagram inFIG. 46 includes three separate branches labeled 1043A, 1043B, and 1043Cassociated with each such display. In the rear display 144, whichcontains only two LCD display panels, only two branches corresponding to1043A and 1043B are used.

The digital view controller, or video display board, 1022 associatedwith each LCD display panel 1036 receives one of the split video outputsproduced by one of the splitters 142 shown in FIG. 45 from either thevideo 1, video 2, or video 3 lines shown in FIG. 45. As stated aboveeach such video display board 1022 receives a video input produced byvideo board of the computer 1030 to represent the portion of itsassociated displays image which is to be shown by its associated LCDpanel, and then converts that video signal into signals which are usedto drive an LCD display panel 1036 through an LCD driver board 1021,which is represented as part of the Display Panel and Backlight unit1036 in FIG. 46.

Much of the circuitry shown in FIG. 46 relates to control of thebacklighting associated with each display panel. Because the car-top boxis designed to be used outside in lighting conditions that can rangefrom the darkness of a moonless night to the brightness of the middaysun, the rooftop box has a flexible and powerful system for backlightingits display panels. Each of the three ganged displays has a separatelight sensor 1034 of the type shown in FIG. 42 to sense the amount oflight shining on its side of the car-top box. The output of this sensoris fed to a pulse width modulation circuit 1044 that controls the powersupplied to the backlighting in the displays associated with the lightsensor 1034. The output of the pulse width modulator 1044 passes througha distribution circuit 1046 which splits its pulse width modulationoutput into three separate paths, one of which is supplied to the powerdistribution board 1048 associated with each LCD display panel 1036.Each power distribution board 1048 filters the 12-volt power supplied byautomobile electric system, and passes the pulse width modulation signalon to the input of the DC inverter 1028. This inverter produces a2000-volt output that has the same duty cycle as the pulse widthmodulation signal supplied to it. The output of this DC inverter is usedto drive the florescent backlights of the display 1036 at varying levelsof brightness depending on the duty cycle of the 2000 volt output of theinverters, which varies as a function of the ambient light on the sideof the car-top display in which a given display panel 1036 is located.

The displays 1036 are each high-bright displays. As we use the term“high bright displays” we mean displays which can produce over 1000 NITsof illumination, where a NIT equals one candella of light per squaremeter of surface radiation. In the particular embodiment shown in FIG.46 the back lights built into the LED display 1036 are actually capableof providing upto 2000 NITS but their pulse-width-modulation drivecircuitry has been set to limit their output to a maximum ofapproximately 1500 NITs in order to save power.

In this embodiment of the invention, the illumination generated for eachdisplay is controlled as a function of the amount of light falling onits associated light sensor, independently of the amount of lightgenerated for other displays and/or the amount of light falling on thesensors associated with other displays, and is limited to said 1500 NITlimit. In other embodiment the illumination control circuitry 1044A isconnected, either directly as indicated by the dotted lines in FIG. 75,or under computer control, to vary the amount of illumination of eachdisplay as a function not only of the amount of illumination incidentupon its light sensor, but also as a function of the amount of lightincident on other light sensors or on the amount of power light beinggenerated by other displays.

This more complicated control scheme allows illumination power to beallocated to a display unit's different displays more efficiently. Insome embodiments, if lighting conditions make it appropriate toilluminate one or more displays at a level below the unit's maximumaverage per-display lighting energy, the energy saved is used to providemore than that maximum average energy to a display that could use it.

In some embodiments, system uses light sensors other than thatassociated with a given display to determine the amount of illuminationthe display should have. For example, if viewers of a given display willsee the sun verythere is very bright light behind light which viewerswill see behind a given display in determining behind the use ofmultiple light sensors to determine the amount of illumination providedto a given light sensors take into account sensors indicate that theamount of light

-   -   -//lf-since the power supply has a max, it may make sense, for        example, to sometimes blackout one display completely (because        there is so much incident bright light shining on it that you        can't supply it with enough power anyway—so cut your losses and        feed the power to the other surfaces so at least they look        good).    -   -//limit on total power consumption by displays, system        determines temporary max allowed to individual displays as        function of total power limit, equalizing, for example, percent        of desired illumination    -   -//could allocate power based on which display is considered to        have better viewership, such as if on highway, or if at high        speed, or if demographics say otherwise -//lf-ed, i think we can        also claim (though we are not implementing it yet) a separate        architecture: the system reads the readings from each of the        sensors at each of the ganged displays and optimally        re-distributes the power to the 3 displays-//lf-since the power        supply has a max, it may make sense, for example, to sometimes        blackout one display completely (because there is so much        incident bright light shining on it that you can't supply it        with enough power anyway—so cut your losses and feed the power        to the other surfaces so at least they look good). -//limit on        total power consumption by displays, system determines temporary        max allowed to individual displays as function of total power        limit, equalizing, for example, percent of desired illumination    -   -//could allocate power based on which display is considered to        have better viewership, such as if on highway, or if at high        speed, or if demographics say otherwise

FIGS. 47 through 50 illustrate an alternate embodiment of the inventionin which a mobile unit has different types of displays, including ahigh-resolution graphic display, such as the display 142 discussed abovewith regard FIGS. 42 and 43, and a low resolution, largelytext-oriented, display 143. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 47 through50, these two displays are oriented so that they can both be read fromgenerally similar locations relative to the mobile unit 104 on whichthey're mounted. A text-based display 143 of the type shown in FIGS. 47through 50 can be used for multiple different purposes. For example, itcan be used to show information such as time, as is indicated in FIG.47; weather or temperature, as is indicated in FIG. 48; the currentstreets location of the vehicle, as indicated in FIG. 49; and newsinformation, as is indicated in FIG. 50. Such a display can also be usedfor many other types of information, such as the status of the motorvehicle as a taxi cab, that is, whether it is off-duty, currentlydriving for a passenger pickup, or currently occupied.

One of the advantages of using a combination of text-oriented, andgraphics-oriented display is that the text-oriented display can showtext information with a given degree of legibility from a given distancewith a less expensive display, and with less energy consumption, thanmost bitmap displays.

In another embodiment of the invention, a combination of anelectronically controlled display and a more traditional static printeddisplay can be used. In some such embodiments, the controlled displaywill be a text-oriented display of the type shown in FIGS. 47 through50.

FIGS. 51 through 56 display alternate types of outdoor displays whichcan be used in some embodiments of the current invention. These displaysare all designed to use reflected light, such as sunshine, forbacklighting, as well as electrically generated backlight.

So-called transreflective displays, which have both a reflecting surfaceand electrical backlighting behind their display surface have been usedin the prior art. They are particularly useful when displays are usedoutdoors, because when such displays are in bright sunshine they canreflect such bright light back through their display, giving them thebrightness to be visible in such sunshine without requiring a tremendousamount of energy to be consumed by the display's electrical backlights.When it is dark, however, they can used their electrical backlights toprovide necessary lighting.

In the prior art most transreflective have their reflecting surfaceparallel to, and immediately behind, their LCD light valve, whichspatially filters, or modulates, light so to form images. In suchtransreflective displays, virtually the only light reflected out throughlight valves toward viewers is that which impinges upon the reflectingsurfaces by first traveling through such displays' light valves.

Although such normal transreflective display can be used in someembodiments of the invention, the particular types of transreflectivedisplay shown in FIGS. 51-56 have backlighting reflective surfaces whichare not both close and parallel to their light valve. This enables suchdisplays to light the images seen by their viewers with reflect lightother than that which has such displays through their light valves. Thisenables the displays of FIGS. 51-56 to provide much more reflectedillumination when the sun is high in the sky, and thus at its brightest,or is low in the sky and somewhat behind the display.

FIGS. 51 through 53 illustrate the operation of such a display 1060,showing the sun 1064 in three different locations relative to it. In theembodiment of this invention shown in FIGS. 51 through 53, the displayhas a lens 1062 located at its top which is designed to bend the rays ofthe sun down into the display device to increase the amount of lightwhich either hits the back of a display panel 1036 directly, as shown inFIG. 53, or which hits a light diffusing surface 1064, from which aportion of such light is reflected in a diffuse manner toward the backof the display 1036. In some embodiments of the invention, the bottomsurface of the lens 1062 will be covered with either a one-wayreflecting surface, or a controllable light valve 1065 to reduce theamount of light which is reflected back through the lens 1062 from thediffusions surface 1064 or to prevent too much light from illuminatingthe display panel 1036.

The display 1060 includes a plurality of light sensors 1067 whichfunction in the same manner as the light sensors 1034 described abovewith regard to FIGS. 42 and 46, except that they measure the amount oflight reaching a part of the display 1036 from behind. In manyembodiments of the display 1060, an ambient light sensor 1034 will alsobe used to measure the light available on the other side of the display1036 so as to help determine the amount of total lighting that should beused for the display. This information would then be used to control theamount of light generated by the backlights that are built into thedisplay panel 1036.

FIGS. 54 and 55 illustrate how two displays 1062 could be fitted on intoa car-top box similar to that described above with regard to FIGS. 42and 43. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 54 and 55 only two externaldisplays are provided in the car-top box each of which, has a lengthparallel to the length of the vehicle upon which they are mounted. InFIG. 54, the numeral 1066 shows where the electronic components of thecar-top box could be mounted in such a display. Those skilled in thedesign arts should realize that other configurations of displays similarto the displays 1060 could be fitted into a car-top box, including thosewith a generally triangular shape roughly equivalent to that of thecar-top box shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, as well as those having fourdisplays, with one such display mounted on each side of a rectangularshaped car-top box.

FIG. 56 illustrates how a display 1060A, which operates in a mannersimilar to display 1060 shown in FIGS. 51 through 55, could be designedfor use for a fixed outdoor display. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 56,the lens 1062A at the top of the display is a flat lenticular lens.Although either a conventional lens or a lenticular lens could be usedin either a mobile or fixed display, a lenticular lens is particularlydesirable for a large fixed display because the weight of a largelenticular lens is substantially less than the weight of a conventionallens. In some embodiments of the invention shown in FIG. 56, thelenticular lens 1062A could have a chevron shape with a center whichpoints upward so as to catch more light when the sun is low.

In other embodiments of the invention, other means could be used tocapture sunlight for use in backlighting outdoor display. This couldinclude the use of mirrors, instead of lenses, to deflect sunlight ontothe display's defuser surface 1064 or directly onto the back of thedisplay's one or more panels 1036. In some embodiments of the inventionwhich use transreflective displays, a combination of both traditionalreflective surfaces which are close and parallel to a display's lightvalve, and the non-parallel reflective surfaces shown in FIGS. 51 and56, could be combined into one display. In some embodiments, the mirrorsor light reflecting surfaces could be movable under the control of acomputer so as to keep sunlight reflected in the proper direction as thesun and/or the display moves. For example, a MEM device having thousandsof separately electronically positionable mirrors could be used to helpdirect sunlight into a backlighting system of the general type discussedabove with regard to FIGS. 51 through 56. In some embodiments, differingcombinations of one or more lenses, mirrors, and/or non-specularreflecting surfaces could be used to direct illumination to one or moredisplays as desired. FIG. 57 shows programming 1070 of the centralsystem that relates to a system in which drivers are paid as a functionof the amount of money earned by the messages displayed in their mobileunits. Such a system could be used in a taxicab, but it also could beused with private vehicles which are supplied with car-top units, orother external displays.

As is shown in FIG. 57, this programming includes a step 1072 that usessuccessive locations and times through which the display unit hastraveled and shown messages to calculate an earned value for thattravel. This is the value that a user has earned as a function of amountof money displays at those times and locations have earned the system.

The central system could obtain information about the successivelocations of a mobile unit through the use of locator signals, of thetype described above with regard to steps 282 and 284 of FIG. 16. Itcould also use such locator signals to indicate which messages had beendisplayed at which locations, as is described above with regard to FIG.12. In other embodiments, other reporting schemes could be used toenable the central system to determine at which locations and times amobile unit has displayed messages.

In step 1074 the system credits the calculated earned value to thevehicle operator in its internal database. Then, step 1076 transmits thecalculated credited value to the vehicle for display to the driver, suchas, for example on a driver display 386 of the type shown in FIG. 20 andin FIG. 63 at numeral 1274.

In step 1078, the central system transmits information to the drivershowing the different value that can be earned as a function of thedriver driving through those different areas at different times. Thisenables a driver, particularly a private party driving a vehicle for hisown purposes, to alter his driving patterns so as to earn larger amountsof money. If drivers do so vary their driving patterns, the centralsystem will earn more money, since it will have more displays availablein more valuable geosynchrons.

The information transmitted in step 1078 can be transmitted to themobile vehicle so that it can be shown to the driver on the driverdisplay 386, as illustrated at numeral 1276 in FIG. 63. In manyembodiments of the invention, this information will also be madeavailable on the central system's web site so that before a driverenters his car he can plan a route that will help earn her or him themost money.

As indicated by steps 1080 through 1084, if a driver enters into thesystem a desired destination for his travels, such as through the driverinput 392 shown in FIG. 20, or over the Internet, the central systemcalculates one or more routes which reach the destination with a maximumcombination of the quickest route, largest display earnings, and/orlowest cost (such as cost in tolls, or driving mileage). Then, step 1084communicates this calculated information to the driver. If the requestfor such information was entered in a mobile unit driver input 392 ofthe type shown in FIG. 20, this information will be displayed on thedriver display 386. If the request was entered over the Internet, theinformation will be sent back to the browser that made the request.

FIG. 58 illustrates some of the various types of non-commercialprogramming which can be shown by the invention's display systems inaddition to advertising messages. Often such programming will be storedin programming database 1124 stored on the central system. But some ofsuch programming can be generated dynamically, such as from aprogramming studio, or automatically by software programs. Theseprogramming types include street location programming 1125 of the typereferred to above with regard to FIG. 49; time programming 1126 whichindicates the current time, as indicated in FIG. 47; weather programming1128 which has been discussed above with regard to FIG. 48 and FIG. 41;news programming 1130 which is illustrated above with regard to FIG. 50;sports programming 1132; traffic programming 1134 which is discussedabove with regard to FIG. 40 and elsewhere in the specification; publicservice announcements 1136; contest programming 1138; soap operaprogramming 1140, which could consist of brief snippets of a an ongoingstory which could also be incorporated with contests; and greetingprograms, such as seasonal or holiday greeting messages or othermessages designed to spread goodwill among the audience of the system'sdisplays.

FIG. 61 illustrates how information from cameras such as those shown inFIG. 60 and that discussed above with regard to FIGS. 33 and 34, can beused to develop demographic data as a function of both time andlocation. As illustrated in FIG. 61, image information from a mobileunit 104 or a fixed display 346 is transmitted through a wirelesssystem, indicated by the wireless tower 134 shown in that figure, fromwhence it is transmitted over a communication network, such as theInternet or a phone network 348 to the central system's computers 102B,shown in FIG. 61.

The image data transmitted from the mobile unit 104 or the fixed unit346 preferably has already had machine vision performed upon it so as toextract current demographic data from the images obtained by the cameras380 or 380A. In some embodiments of the invention, however, actualimages can be transmitted to the wireless network and to the centralsystem and machine vision can be performed upon it by the centralsystem.

Once such demographic information has been extracted from the imagestaken by the cameras 380 and 388, that information can be added to ademographic-location-time database 1250 of the type shown in FIG. 61. InFIG. 61 a small portion of this database, that used to representweekdays between 3 PM and 5:30 PM, is shown. In this particularembodiment each half-hour of that time period is represented by adifferent plane 1254. The horizontal directions in each such planerepresent East and West and North and South, as is indicated in thatfigure. The vertical direction represents time. The values of one ormore demographic attributes are stored in the data base for eachlocation and space and time. The values of one such attribute are shownin graphs 1263 and 1264 in FIG. 62.

Of course those skilled in the art of databases will understand thatthis demographic information can be stored in many different datastructures, and data can be recorded with different time granularitythan the half-hour granularity shown in FIG. 61.

As a mobile unit 104 moves through space, the demographic information itsends back to the central unit is tagged with successively changinglocation values. These different location values cause that informationto be recorded at successively different space-time locations in thedatabase. The resulting path in space-time for the mobile unit 104 isshown in FIG. 61 by the line 1258. As can be seen by the verticalspace-time page represented by the numeral 1256, demographic informationcoming from a fixed display 346 does not move in the north-south oreast-west direction, but does move in the time dimention in thedemographic database.

In order to make past demographic information useful in predictingcurrent or future demographic audiences, demographic informationobtained from similar past times is combined. For example, demographicinformation from normal weekdays over a period of months, years, or evendecades can be combined to form the demographic database illustrated inFIG. 61. As such information is compiled from multiple fixed and mobiledisplay units over time, the database will tend to develop a substantialamount information about potential audiences at different times andplaces throughout the area in which its displays are operating.

FIG. 62 is a schematic representation of a multidimensional demographicdatabase for a giving geographic area similar to that shown in FIG. 61,except that it shows that separate demographic data being stored foreach of a plurality of different space-time locations for bothpedestrians and drivers, the two different audiences likely to see amobile unit's side and back displays, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 62 demographic data 1254A is stored for pedestrians anddifferent demographic data 1254B is stored for drivers. As in theexample of FIG. 61, a separate plane of data is stored for eachhalf-hour. In the portion of the database shown in FIG. 62 a separateplane of data is shown for each half hour from 12:00 AM to 2:00 AM. Asis indicated in FIG. 62, this demographic data can include a pluralityof different demographic attributes for each space-time plane 1254, eachof which corresponds to the geographic area represented by the map 1260in FIG. 62. In FIG. 62, the top group of data planes relate to totalaudience, whereas a lower group of such database data planes representsthe number of people between the age of 21 and 35 in various locationsin the pedestrian database and the number of luxury cars within the viewof the rear camera in the case of the driver demographic database.

In FIG. 62 the value of the total audience number associated with thepedestrian database and the driver database along the line 1262 shown inthe map 1260 are illustrated by the graph 1263 and 1264, respectively.The height of this graph represents the value of the total audience ateach point along the line 1262. It should be appreciated that the map1260 will normally cover the entire area over which a message displaysystem has fixed or mobile units.

FIG. 63 is a schematic representation of an aspect of the inventionwhich involves associating different values with the display of messagesat different locations and times and calculating a sum of such valuesalong a space-time path through which one or more vehicles has traveled.Such a calculated sum can be charged to an advertiser based on where andwhen its messages have been shown by the system or credited to a vehicleoperator in return for the locations in which a vehicle owned oroperated by that operator has shown messages.

As is shown in FIG. 63, the central system 102B includes aprice-location-time database 1272 which includes data indicating a priceassociated with each of a plurality of locations represented byhorizontal distance in the planes 1257, at each of a plurality of timesrepresented by the vertical dimension in FIG. 63. As in FIGS. 61 and 62,the database is shown having a time granularity of one half-hour with adifferent data plane 1257 being associated with each such half-hourinterval. Of course, in other embodiments of the invention other timegranularity's could be used, and other ways of representing price as afunction of time and place could be used. At each given region within aplane 1257, such as the region indicated by the circle 1259 in FIG. 63,a plurality of prices or values is associated. This is indicated by thevalues 1270 shown in the blown up portion of one of the planes 1257 atthe lower left-hand corner of FIG. 63. In some embodiments of theinvention a different value will be associated with each location intime for the amount of money to be charged to an advertiser and for theamount of money to be paid to vehicle operators or drivers.

As a mobile unit 104 moves through geographic space it radios itslocation and the identity of the messages it displays to a wirelessnetwork, represented by the wireless tower 134 in FIG. 63. The wirelessnetwork communicates that information to the central system. Thisenables the central system to determine a space-time path 1258A throughthe price-location-time database. A sum of values along such aspace-time path, such as the sums represented by the graphs 1274 of 1282in FIG. 63 can be calculated for each of the paths. The value associatedwith a given time-location combination in this sum calculation can bemultiplied by the number of messages shown in that location, or theamount of time spent displaying messages in that location. In the caseof a sum calculated for an advertiser, the advertiser will only becharged for the display of messages which it has agreed to pay for, andnot for the display of messages for other advertisers. In mostembodiments, the sum calculated for crediting toward a mobile unitoperator will give that operator credit for all messages displayed onhis vehicle.

As is indicated in FIG. 63, in some embodiments of the invention adriver display 386 of the type described above with regard to FIGS. 20and 21, which is located in the mobile unit's drivers compartment, isused to display the sum 1274 of money which is been earned by thedisplay operator or driver over a given period of time. In someembodiments, the mobile unit can also show a screen 1276 upon thedriver's display which allows the driver to see the different amounts ofmoney which can be earned by driving through, and showing messages at,different locations at different times.

FIG. 64 is a schematic representation of how multiple receivers can beused to determine the location of a mobile unit in some embodiments ofthe invention.

As is shown in that figure, the mobile vehicle 104 transmits wirelessmessages to a wireless network having a multiple receivers 134A through134C. Electronic comparators 1290 associated with the wireless networkcan compare information about the receipt of the same signal from themobile unit by the network's different receivers in a step 1292 todetermine the location of the mobile unit. Once this determination isbeen made a step 1294 can communicate that location information to themobile unit 104 and/or to the central system 102B. The comparison instep 1292 can be of differences in signal strength received at thedifferent wireless receivers, or of differences in the time at which agiven signal is received by such different receivers.

At the time of the writing of this application, it is expected thatwithin several years standard digital wireless communication networks,such as those which will be used by cellular phones and personal digitalassistants, will determine the location of wireless transmissions as astandard part of their service. Once such location detection becomes astandard part of wireless service, it may no longer be necessary ordesirable for mobile units 104 to contain global positioning systems orother geographic location detection equipment.

FIGS. 65 and 66 illustrate one possible embodiment of the scheme for theauto-placement of messages described above briefly with regard to steps456 and 458 of FIG. 24A. FIGS. 65 and 66 illustrate, respectively,programming 1300 and 1364 which can be executed, respectively, by thecentral system and a display unit as part of this scheme.

As shown in FIGS. 65, the central system auto-placement programmingincludes steps 1302 through 1346 which provide a user interface forallowing a user to define an auto-placement order in terms of the typesand number of people it wishes to reach and the time frame over which itwishes to reach them.

Steps 1304 through 1342 allow a user to specify one or more desiredviewer types to which one or more customer messages are to be shownunder the order. For each such viewer type, it enables the customer tospecify one or more characteristics which defined that viewer type, aswell as the number of viewers of that type to which the messages are tobe shown. As indicated by numerals 1308 through 1338, these stepsenabled a customer to characterize viewer type not only in terms oftraditional demographic categories, such as ethnic group, estimatedincome, and lifestyle category, as indicated by numerals 1308 through1312; but also by viewer context factors which might affect theappropriateness of showing a given message to a given set of viewers.

As indicated by numerals 1314 through 1320, these viewer context factorscan include the current activity of the viewer, such as whether they aredriving, walking, or sitting.

As indicated by numerals 1322 through 1334, these factors can alsoinclude the viewers' relationship to the display on which the message isto be shown, including whether they are seeing a vehicle side display142 or a vehicle back display 144 of the type shown in FIG. 6; thelength of time viewers are likely to be able to see a message (asestimated from factors such as the speed of the mobile unit, therelative speed of the mobile unit to viewers, and whether the viewersare pedestrians or drivers located behind a vehicle); the relative speedof the display to viewers; the viewers' proximity to the display; andthe viewer's orientation relative to the display.

As indicated by numeral 1336, these factors can also include the one ormore times at which viewers areto see the message, such as a time ofday, a day of the week, etc.

As indicated by numeral 1338, these factors can also include locationclassifications, such as one or more specific locations, or one or moreclasses of locations, in which the viewer is to see the display. Thiscan include locations near a given type of event, a given type of store,or a given type of public facility.

As indicated by numeral 1342, for each of the viewer types defined, acustomer can specify the number of viewers of that type to which hedesires to have a given message shown under the current order.Preferably the auto-placement customer interface uses historicalinformation in the central system's databases to inform customers of thenumber of viewers of each customer specified viewer type which arerealistic during a specified time frame.

As indicated by step 1344, the interface also allows a user to selectthe overall time frame over which the messages associated with a givenorder are to be shown. This selection could specify a sample duration,such as a day, week, or month, or a custom duration having a userselected start date and time and a user selected end date and time.

As indicated at step 1346, the system specifies the price of eachcustomer specified viewer type for the selected timeframe. This allows acustomer to see the price of different types of orders before it selectsto commit to purchasing them in step

Step 1174, which can be the same step 1174 described above with regardto FIG. 23, allows a user to select one or more messages to be shownaccording to the order. In the particular embodiment just described, ifthe user selects more than one message to be shown for an order, thesystem randomly selects between such messages. In such embodiment, ifthe customer wants different messages shown under differentcircumstances, such different circumstances can be specified withseparate orders.

Steps 1348 through 1362 describe operations which the central systemtakes in response to the receipt of shown-message information fromindividual display units which those display units have generated inresponse to the steps of FIG. 66.

As indicated by FIG. 66, the auto placement programming of individualdisplay units consists largely of a loop 1366 performed for each displayunit display that is about to be free to show a new message. If thedisplay unit is a mobile unit having two side displays 142 that show thesame message in unison, and one back display 144 that shows a separatemessage, the loop 1366 is performed separately for the side and backdisplays.

The loop 1366 includes an internal loop 1368 which is performed for eachof a plurality of orders that have been communicated to the display unitby the central system. In some embodiments the loop 1368 will onlyconsider orders which have an urgency, described below, which is above acertain level, so as to reduce computation.

For each considered order, the loop 1368 performs an internal loop 1370for each of the viewer types defined for that order by a customer usingstep 1306 of the central system programming shown in FIG. 65. For eachsuch viewer type, steps 1372 through 1378 calculate a product which isformed by multiplying the number of viewers of that type which areestimated as being likely for the display for which loop 1366 is beingperformed.

This estimated viewers-of-type number can be calculated from ademographic database of the type described above with regard to FIG. 62.As indicated in FIG. 62 if the display is a mobile unit it can accessdifferent demographic data for pedestrian populations which are likelyto see side displays and driver populations which are more likely to seeback displays.

In some embodiments of the invention, the viewers-of-type number can becalculate from such a demographic data base and/or from real-timedemographic data determined by the use of cameras and machinerecognition software hardware of the type described above with regard toFIGS. 60 and 61.

Step 1372 multiplies this estimated viewers-of-type number both by theprice for each viewer of the current type associated with the currentorder and by an urgency number calculated by the central system for thatviewer type in the current order, as described below.

Once step 1372 has calculated its product, step 1380 adds that productto an orderScore variable used to sum the products calculated by step1372 over all of the viewer types associated with the current order.

Once loop 1370 has calculated the orderScore for each order for whichthe loop 1368 is performed, step 1382 selects the order with the bestorderScore. Then when display for which loop 1366 has just beenperformed is available to show the next message, step 1384 causes themessage associated with the selected order to be shown on that display.

Steps 1386 to 1396 record the following shown-message information foreach message shown in step 1384: the ID of the message, the ID of theorder; the time and location at which the message was shown; and foreach viewer type associated with the order, the number of viewers ofthat type estimated by step 1374.

As indicated by numeral 1398, the display units uploads thisshown-message information to the central system. This upload can occurimmediately after each messages is shown, or can occur less frequently,in which case it will normally include shown-message informationassociated with the showing of multiple messages.

Returning now to FIG. 65, the central system receives shown-messageinformation from each of a plurality of display units over its wirelesscommunications interface, as indicated by step 1348.

A loop 1350 is performed for each individual shown-message recordreceived. This loop includes an inner loop 1352 performed for eachviewer type associated with the shown-message record's associated order.

For each such viewer-type loop 1352 causes steps 1354 through 1360 to beperformed, each of which uses viewer type's estimated viewers-of-typenumber generated in step 1374 of FIG. 66.

Step 1356 subtracts this estimated viewers-of-type number from thenumber of desired exposures to viewers of that type specified for theshown-message record's corresponding auto-placement order. This numberof desired exposures is the number which has been previously selectedfor the order by a customer in step 1342 of FIG. 65. The numberresulting from this subtraction corresponds to the number of unfulfilledviewer exposures for the current viewer type under shown-messagerecord's corresponding order.

Then step 1358 calculates an urgency number for viewers of the currenttype as a function of the number of unfulfilled exposures to viewers ofthat type just calculated in step 1356 and as a function of the amountof time remaining in the order.

In many embodiments of step 1358, the urgency number is calculated notonly as a function of the amount of time remaining for the completion ofthe order, but also as a function of such in factors as the expectedrate at which opportunities for exposures to such viewers are likely tooccur over that remaining time, and the extent to which that rate oflikely exposure opportunities might very over that remaining time, allas calculated from information recorded by the system for similarexposures at similar past time periods.

Such calculations of expected exposure opportunities for a given viewertype preferably also take into account the extent to which other ordersare seeking to make exposures to the same viewers during the same periodof time.

In step 1360, the central system uses the viewers-of-type numberassociated with a shown-message record to calculate the charge to bemade to the order's customer as a function of the price associated withexposures to viewers of the current viewer type.

In step 1362, the central system download to multiple display units thechanges in viewer-type urgency associated with different orders thathave been calculated by step 1358 of FIG. 65.

The process described in FIGS. 65 and 66 provides a system forautomatically controlling the time and place at which messages are shownas a result of the plurality of different customer selectedspecifications of the types of viewers, and the numbers of those typesof viewers, to which one or more messages are to be shown over a givenperiod of time. The system automatically response to changes incircumstances in determining which adds to show when and where. It alsoautomatically spaces out the showing of messages over the duration ofthe order by means of the urgency number described above.

It can be seen that in this auto-placement system the urgency numbersused in selecting which messages are shown on an individual display arecalculated as a function of the extent to which exposures to each viewertype for a given order have been made by a plurality of differentdisplay units.

When this auto-placement system is used by mobile units having both sideand back displays, it will often automatically select different messagesfor the side and back displays as a function of different demographicinformation associated with the likely audiences for side and frontdisplays. This different demographic data can be derived from ademographic database, such as that shown in FIG. 62, and/or from realtime sensor information, such as information from cameras of the typeindicated in FIGS. 60 and 61.

FIGS. 67 through 76 illustrate one embodiment of a rooftop display unit174A which can be used by mobile units according to some aspects of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 67 and 68 provides side views of this rooftop unit 174A. FIGS. 67shows the rooftop unit assembled on the roof 1400 of a vehicle on whichit is to be used. FIG. 77 is an exploded view of the rooftop unit.

The roof top display unit 174A is similar to the car-top unit 174,described above with regard to FIGS. 3-6 and FIGS. 42-46. Like them ithas two side displays and one back display placed in a triangulararrangement.

The rooftop unit 174A includes a top cover 1402 and a bottom cover 1406,which together form an enclosure for the electronic components of therooftop unit. This enclosure is substantially waterproof, except forventilation and mounting holes located in the bottom surface of thebottom cover. The top cover 1402 includes a transparent window 1404 overeach of its three displays.

The enclosure, and the components it contains, form a rooftop box 1401.This box is designed to be mounted above a roof protector 1408. The roofprotector has a bottom surface 1409, which can be seen in FIG. 68, thatis shaped to fit the 3-dimensional shape of the roof of the car on whichthe rooftop unit is designed to be mounted. The roof protector isdesigned to spread the weight of the rooftop unit over a relativelylarge area (at least two square feet and preferably more) of the roof ofthe vehicle on which it is mounted. Such spreading of the rooftop box'sweight is valuable, because the roofs of many vehicles are made ofrelatively thin sheet metal, which cannot support much weight if thatweight is applied to a relatively small area of such sheet metal. Thisis particularly true if the vehicle is to travel on streets having potholes and other bumps which will cause the force exerted on the roof bythe mass of the rooftop box 1401 at certain moments to be even greater.

The roof protector can be attached to the vehicle roof with severalscrews or bolts. In some embodiments a thin film, such as one made of anelastomeric or plastic foam can be placed between the roof protector'sbottom surface and the vehicle roof to reduce scratching and other wearupon the roof.

In the exploded view of FIG. 68 part of the electronic components 1410of the rooftop unit are shown between the top cover 1404 and the bottomcover 1406. These components are similar to those shown in FIGS. 42 and43, although in newer versions the computer and related electronics aresomewhat smaller and more integrated, a trend that should continue evenfurther in the future. Also in the embodiments shown in FIG. 68 thelight sensor 1034 associated with each ganged display is located in aslightly different position than in FIG. 42. Of course in otherembodiments, each displays light sensors could be in yet otherpositions, or a plurality of light sensors could be used for eachdisplay.

The electronic components shown in FIG. 68 include a metal base 1412upon which the other components, including the displays 1036 aremounted. This base plate is similar in function to the base plate 1026shown in FIGS. 42 and 43. This metal base 1412 is attached to mountingshafts 1414 which extend up from the roof protector through mountingholes 1415 in the bottom of the bottom cover 1406, shown in FIG. 70, soas to securely mount the metal base on the roof protector.

FIG. 69 provides a top view of the rooftop box's top cover. It shows thethree windows 1404 which are placed over each of the rooftop unitsdisplays, although in FIG. 69 these windows are greatly foreshorteneddue to the angle at which they are seen.

FIG. 70 shows a top view of the rooftop box's bottom cover 1406. In FIG.70 the part of the bottom cover between its roughly triangular outeredge 1416 and the roughly parallel downward bend 1418, which extendsinside the outer edge, defines a depressed peripheral portion 1417 ofthe bottom cover. This peripheral portion is depressed relative to thelargely flat central portion 1420 of the bottom cover. This depressedperipheral portion, as well as the bottom cover's outer edge and thebend 1418, are shown in FIGS. 72.

FIG. 70 shows the inflow ventilation holes 1422 and outflow ventilationholes 1424 that are formed in the bottom cover. One of each of thesetypes of holes is also shown in FIG. 72. As can be seen from FIG. 72 theperipheral depression 1417 extends down below the ventilation holes 1422and 1424. This is done to increase the likelihood that rainwater orcondensation will gather on the bottom of the peripheral depressionrather than near the ventilation holes 1422 and 1424. It is also done todecrease the likelihood that rainwater will enter the ventilation holes,particularly the inflow ventilation holes 1422, which are located veryclose to the bottom cover's depressed periphery 1417, decreasing thelikelihood that rainwater will be sucked into such inflow holes.

FIG. 71 is a top view of the metal base plate 1412, upon which the otherelectronic components of the rooftop units are mounted. This base plateincludes rectangular holes 1426 designed to fit approximately over theventilation inflow holes 1422 shown in FIG. 70 and circular holes 1428designed to fit over the ventilation outflow holes 1424 shown in FIG.70. It also includes mounting holes 1432 designed to be fit upon themounting shafts 1414 of the roof protector in the manner shown in FIG.74.

FIG. 72 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the rooftop box usedto illustrate its ventilation. This figure shows that the rooftop box'stop cover 1402 is designed to have its lower peripheral edge 1430 snuglyfit over the outside edge 1416 of the box's bottom cover 1406. Screws orbolts can be attached between these two edges to securely lock the topand bottom covers together. Foam 1432 can be used to make the sealbetween the top and bottom cover relatively watertight.

FIG. 72 show that a crossflow fan 1434 is located between the inflowholes 1422 of the bottom cover and the inflow holes 1426 of the baseplate 1412. Each such crossflow fan has a long cylindrical air impeller,the major axis of which extends under the length of its associatedinflow hole 1426 shown in FIG. 71. Each such impeller has blades 1436designed to impel air from a bottom cover's inflow hole 1422 out througha base plate's inflow hole 1426, up across the front surface of adisplay 1036, as is indicated by the arrow 1437.

An outflow fan 1438 is located just beneath each of the base plate'soutflow holes 1428. Each such outflow fan impels air out through itsassociated outflow hole 1424 in the box's bottom cover. This outflow fan1438 sucks air down the backside of the display 1036, as is indicated bythe arrows 1440 in FIG. 72.

A strip of foam 1442 is located in each inflow hole 1422 of the bottomcover 1406. It's purpose is to keep dirt and moisture out of the airsucked into the rooftop box by the inflow fan 1434. Above the foam strip1442 is located an air verticalizing grate 1444, which has a set ofvertical gratings 1445 designed to substantially verticalize the flow ofair through it, so as to further reduce the likelihood that moisturewill be sucked up into the fan. The grating 1444 also served to helphold the foam strip 1442 in-place. In the embodiment shown, the foamstrip 1442 is placed outside of the verticalizing strip 1444, so as toenable the foam strip to be easily replaced without the need to takeapart the rooftop box. This is desirable since these foam strips, whichact as filters, will need to be replaced fairly often. In otherembodiments of the invention the air verticalizing grate can be placedbelow the filter strip to reduce the amount of water which hits thefilter strips.

As can be seen from FIG. 72, the outflow hole 1424 of the bottom coveralso has an air verticalizing grating 1446 placed over it so as to helpkeep water droplets and other undesired objects from getting into therooftop box.

FIG. 73 provides a top view of the roof protector shown in FIGS. 67 and68. This roof protector is designed in a generally triangular shaperoughly matching, but somewhat larger than the triangular shape,indicated by FIG. 69, associated with the rooftop box. In otherembodiments, the roof protector can have other shapes, including beingformed of separate portions, or of having holes formed in it to reduceits weight. In the embodiment shown the roof protector is made offiberglass, but in other embodiments it can be made of other materials.

FIG. 74 provides a cross-sectional view of how the rooftop box ismounted on the mounting supports 1450 which extend up from the rootprotector 1408.

Each of the roof protector's three mounting supports includes a mountingshaft 1414, in the form of a threaded bolt. The bottom portion of eachsuch bolt is embedded in the material of its associated mounting support1450. Each such mounting bolt and its associated mounting support areintended to extend up through one of the mounting holes 1415 in thebottom cover of the rooftop box. The mounting holes 1415 are wider thanthe mounting support 1450 to allow room for the rooftop box to bouncerelative to the support as the vehicle upon which rooftop unit ismounted travels, hits Bumps, and/or brakes rapidly.

The metal base plate 1412 which supports the rooftop box's electronicsis, itself, mounted upon the roof protector's mounting supports 1450 andtheir associated bolts 1414. It is mounted upon each such supports andassociated bolt with the help of flat washers 1452, a lock washer 1454,and an elastomeric vibration isolator comprised of two portions, a lowerportion 1455 and an upper portion 1457. A nut 1456 is tightened downupon each bolt 1414 so as to firmly hold the metal base plate 1412 inplace relative to the vibration isolator mounted upon that bolt.

As is shown in FIG. 74, the vibration isolator's two portions 1455 and1457 are shaped to extend between the metal base plate 1412 and therigid mounting structures formed by the mounting support 1450, bolt1414, washers 1452, and nut 1456. The top portion 1475 of the vibrationisolator extends between the base plate and the combination of thewasher 1452 and the nut 1456 that holds the base plate down; the bottomportion 1455 of the vibration isolator extends between the base plateand the combination of the washer 1452 and the mounting surface 1450that hold the base plate up; and the elastomeric collar 1458 of thebottom portion of the vibration isolator extends between the base plateand the bolt 1414 which restrains the base plate in horizontaldirections. Thus, the base plate receives isolation from vibrationbetween the rooftop box and its mounting in all three dimensions.

FIG. 75 provides a block diagram of some of the major electroniccomponents of the embodiment of the rooftop box shown in FIGS. 67 and68.

As can be seen from FIG. 75, the rooftop box includes a computer 140Athat is generally similar to the mobile unit computers, or controllers,140 shown in FIGS. 1, 7, 20, and 21. In FIG. 75 some of the relativelystandard components of the computer 140A are shown. These includes itscentral processing unit, or CPU, 1460; its bus 1462, which enables theCPU to communicate other components of the computer; its random accessmemory, or RAM, 158A; its hard disk 158B; its video interface 1040C; itsI/O ports 1466; and its network interface 1468.

The video interface 1040C corresponds to the video interface 1040 and1040A shown in FIG. 45. It includes one portion of video memory fordriving the same images on each of the corresponding three individualpanels 1036 in each of the two ganged side displays 142, and anotherportion of memory for driving the two individual panels 1036 which makeup the ganged back display 144.

Each of the ganged displays has an associated light sensor 1034 andillumination control circuit 1040A, which correspond to the light sensor1034 and the pulse width modulation control circuit 1044 shown in FIG.46.

In some embodiments, the illumination control circuit 1044A determinesthe brightness of its associated ganged display 142 or 144 in responseto the output of its associated light sensor 1034 independently of theoperation of the other gang displays and their light sensor orillumination control circuitry. But in other embodiments the operationof the illumination control circuits is interconnected, as is indicatedby the dotted line 1045 in FIG. 75. Such functional dependence, can becontrolled either by circuitry or programming within the illuminationcontrol circuits themselves, or under control of the rooftop box'scomputer 140A.

Such interdependent illumination control allows illumination power to beallocated to a rooftop box's different displays more efficiently. Insome embodiments, if lighting conditions make it appropriate toilluminate one or more displays at a level below the unit's maximumaverage per-display lighting energy, the energy saved can be used toprovide more than that maximum average energy to a display whosevisibility could benefit from greater illumination.

In some interdependent illumination embodiments, the illuminationcontrol circuits use light sensors other than those associated withtheir own display to determine the amount of illumination the displayshould have. For example, if the light sensors indicate there is brightlight behind a display, that bright light, which would not fall on adisplay's own sensor, is used in determining how much illuminationshould applied to a display.

In some interdependent illumination embodiments, the illuminationcontrol circuits cut off illumination to an individual display when itdetermines that it will be difficult for viewers to see messages on thatdisplay, such as due to very bright light falling on the display or verybright light behind the display. In such a case the power saved byturning off backlighting to the display can be applied to other displayson the rooftop-box.

FIG. 75 represents one or more heaters 1472 which are located inside therooftop-box, as well as the inflow and outflow fans 1434 and 1438 whichhave been described above with regard to FIG. 72. The rooftop-box alsoincludes one or more heat sensors 1470, the output of which is suppliedto the computer 148. The computer can control the operation of theheaters and fans in response to the output of the heat sensor.

The computer 140A includes in its memory storage system, which in theembodiment of FIG. 75 includes the RAM 158A and the hard disk 158B, anoperating system 160A, wireless remote access programming 160B,vector-based animation program 161; wireless network interfaceprogramming 160C, as well as display message programming 160D, anddisplay message storage 166 of the type described above with regard toFIGS. 1, 7, 20, and 21.

FIG. 76 illustrates how the rooftop box (indicated by the dotted linenumbered 1401) is connected the electrical system of the vehicle onwhich the rooftop box is mounted.

The vehicle's electric system includes a battery 1480 connected toground on one side and to a positive terminal on the other. An ignitionswitch 1482 has one end connected to the battery's positive terminal andits other end connected to an ignition line 1484. This ignition line isconnected to the ignition of the vehicle's engine 1486. When the engineis running it turns a generator 1488, causing the generator to generateelectricity that charges the battery 1480 and provides power tocircuitry connected to the battery's positive terminal.

The battery's positive terminal is connected through a fuse box to aline 1492, which is connected to a terminal 1493 on one end of theswitched path of a watchdog circuit 1494 located in the rooftop box1401. The other end 1495 of the watchdog circuit's switched path isconnected to a line 1496 that supplies power to the rooftop box'scomputer 140A. The Watchdog circuit has a input 1498 which is connectedto the ignition line 1484 and also has another input 1500 connected toan output line 1502 from the computer 140A.

The watchdog switch makes a connection across its switched path betweenterminals 1493 in 1495 when it senses that power has been supplied tothe ignition line. Once this connection has been made the watchdogcircuit keeps its switch path connected until it senses that a watchdogtimeout period longer than several minutes has elapsed without receivinga watchdog signal on line 1502. When the computer 104A is on andfunctioning properly it generates such watchdog signals at a frequencyhigher than the watchdog timeout period.

Thus, it can be seen that the Watchdog switch cause the computer toreceive power from when the ignition switch is turned on until thecomputer stops working.

The computer receives an input from the ignition line 1484 so that itcan tell if the vehicle's ignition is on. It is programmed to shutitself off if a sufficiently long period of time has elapsed since itsenses that the ignition switch has been turned and remained off.

The positive terminal of the battery 1480 is also connected through thefuse box 1490 to one or more lines 1504 which are supplied to one end1506 of the switched path of a relay 1505. The other end of the switchedpath 1508 is connected to line 1510, which supplies power to a set ofconnectors which comprise a power distribution block 1512. Theseconnectors supplied current to the backlight drive circuitry 1043, whichcorresponds to the circuitry 1043 shown in FIG. 46. The powerdistribution block also supplies current over a line 1514 to one inputof the computer 140A, which enables the computer to sense whether or notthe backlight drive circuitry is receiving power from power distributionblock.

The relay 1505 is a time delay relay which receives an input from theignition line 1484. When power is received from the ignition line, thetime-delay relay 1505 turns on its switched path, enabling current flowfrom the line 1504 to the line 1510 into the backlight drive circuitry.Once this switch is turned on it stays on until power has been removedfrom the ignition line 1484 for a give time period, which is roughly aminute or so in duration.

The function of the time-delay relay 1505 is to turn off the rooftopbox's backlight shortly after the vehicle's ignition has been turnedoff. This is done because the backlight drive circuitry 1043 consumes aconsiderable amount of electricity, enough to drain the typical vehiclebattery within a fraction of an hour if the displays were left on afterthe vehicle's generator 1488 stopped generating electricity.

As shown in FIG. 76, the vehicle can have an on-duty switch 1516. Thisswitch is normally placed in the driver's compartment of vehicles whichare taxi cabs to enable drivers of such vehicles to indicate whether ornot they are on duty. The switch 1516 is connected through a line 1518both to an on-duty lamp 1520 that is mounted in some embodiments of therooftop box 1401, and to one input of the computer 140A.

In taxi cab embodiments of the invention, as well as some otherembodiments, the driver's compartment is also provided with a panicbutton, or emergency switch, 1522 which is connected between thepositive end of the vehicle's and a line 1524 connected to an input ofthe computer 140A. This panic switch enables a driver to indicate uponthe displays of the rooftop box or over the box's wireless that he ishaving some sort of emergency, such as a serious breakdown, or a robberyor assault. In other embodiments more complex inputs such as a keyboard,the driver input 392 shown in FIG. 21, or multiple separate emergencybuttons, could allow the driver to indicate the particular type ofemergency he or she is having.

FIG. 77 provides a schematic description of the energy conservationscheme 1530 which is acheived by the circuitry of FIG. 76.

As indicated by numerals 1532 through 1548, the scheme causes a stagedpower shut down to occur within the rooftop box after the vehicle'signition switch 1482, shown in FIG. 76, is turned off. As indicated bynumerals 1534 and 1536, at a first-time after the ignition shut off,power to the displays is decreased. In the emobidment of FIG. 76 thisfirst power reduction occurs immediately after the ignition is turnedoff and it is caused by the fact that the backlight drive circuitry 1043receives an input from the ignition line 1484 which causes the pulsewidth modulation circuitry 1044, shown in FIG. 46, to reduce power tothe rooftop box's backlights as soon as it senses that the ignition hasbeen turned off. In the embodiments of FIG. 76 approximately one-half ofthe power to the backlights is cut off in this first power reduction.

As indicated by numerals 1538 in 1540 of FIG. 77, power to the backlights is totally turned of at a second time which is longer after theignition has been turned off than the time at which the first, partial,power reduction to the backlights takes place. This second powerreduction is performed by the hardware time delay relaty 1505 shown inFIG. 76.

As indicated by numerals 1542 and 1544 of FIG. 77, at a third, evenlonger, time after the ignition switch 1482 has been shut off, thecomputer 140A shuts down. This happens under control of software in thecomputer 140A that responds to a drop in voltage on the ignition senseline 1484 which is connected to one input of the computer, as shown inFIG. 76.

As indicated at numerals 1546 and 1548 in FIG. 77, shortly after thecomputer has been shut down by operation of step 1544, power to thecomputer is shut off. This is done by the watchdog switch 1494 shown inFIG. 76, because once the computer has shut itself off it will cease toemit periodic watchdog signals on line 1502. Once the watchdog switchhas failed to receive a watchdog signal from the computer for a periodlonger than the watchdog timeout period, the watchdog switch will breakthe signal path between its terminals 1493 and 1495, cutting power tothe computer 140A.

In summary, the steps indicated by numerals 1532 through 1548 of FIG. 77save power by reducing illumination to the rooftop box's displaysshortly or immediately after the ignition has turned off. Then, shortlythereafter they turned off all power to those displays so as to preventthe displays from draining too much power out of the vehicle's battery.At a longer period after the ignition has been off the computer 140Ashuts itself down under software control, and power to it is cut. Thecomputer 140A draws substantially less electricity than the rooftopbox's display backlights, however it draws enough electricity that werethe computer left on for long periods of time it would also drain thevehicles battery.

Because of the importance of preventing the rooftop box frominadvertently having its battery drained, in many embodiments of theinvention the time-delay relay 1505 is a hardware relay independent ofthe operation of the computer 140A. This causes the power to be cut fromthe power hogging backlights even if the computer 140A become hung,decreasing a chance that the vehicle will have its battery rundownaccidentally.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 76 the time-delay relay 1505 is shownoutside of the rooftop box 1401. In other embodiments it can beconstructed as part of the rooftop box.

In other embodiments of the invention variations on this power savingscheme could be used. For example, in some only certain of the powerreductions steps are made. In others, additional such steps are made. Inone embodiment, all power to the backlights is turned off immediatelywhen the ignition is turned off, and, thus, no time delay is used forthe relay which turns such power off. In others embodiments, there isreduction in power to the backlights until for some time after theignition is turned off. It should also be understood that the amount oftime after the ignition that various power reduction steps should bemade will vary as a function of the amount of power different componentsof a vehicle display unit consume in proportion to the power stored inthe vehicle's battery.

As indicated by numerals 1550 through 1554 of FIG. 77, when the ignitionswitch is turned on power is supplied to boot up the rooftop box'scomputer. This results from the fact that the watchdog switch 1494 isdesigned to be triggered to an on, or conducting, state between itsterminals 1493 and 1495 when it first receives power from its connectionat terminals 1498 to the ignition line 1484.

Then, as indicated at numerals 1556 and 1558 in FIG. 77, power isprovided to backlight the displays at a slightly later time. This isbecause the time delay relay 1550 of FIG. 76 delays its making of aconnection between its terminals 1506 and 1508 until the computer 140Ahas had enough time to boot up and drive images upon the vehicle'sdisplays.

FIG. 78 illustrates some of the energy conservation, temperaturecontrol, and a status reporting programming 1516 which can be containedwithin the computer 140A, shown in FIG. 75.

As indicated by numerals 1562 and 1564, if the computer's connection tothe ignition line 1484, shown in FIG. 76, indicates that the ignition isoff, the computer records the time at which such an ignition off statuswas sensed.

As indicated by steps 1566 and 1568 of FIG. 78, if the time since thecomputer recorded in step 1564 that the vehicle's ignition was off isabove a given length, which is longer than the time delay associatedwith the time-delay relay 1505, step 1568 causes the computer to startshutting down, as was described above with regard to step 1544 FIG. 77.

Steps 1570 through 1592 of FIG. 78 illustrates some of the temperaturecontrol programming contained within the rooftop box.

If step 1570 receives an input from the temperature sensor 1470 shown inFIG. 75 indicated that temperature in the rooftop box is above a firstlevel, step 1572 tests to see if the vehicle's fans 1434 and 1438 shownin FIG. 75 are on, and, if not, step 1574 turns them on.

If the input from the temperature sensor 1470 indicates that temperaturein the rooftop box is below a second level which is cooler than thefirst level, step 1578 tests to see if the fans 1434 and 1438 are on,and, if so, step 1580 turns them off.

If the input from the temperature sensor indicates that temperature isabove a third level cooler than the second level, step 1582 causes step1584 to test if the rooftop box's heater 1472 is on. If so, step 1586turns that here are off.

If the input from the temperature sensor 1470 indicates that temperatureinside the rooftop box is below a fourth temperature level, cooler thanthe third temperature level, step 1588 causes step 1590 to test if theheater 1472 is off, and if so step 1592 turns the heater on.

It can be seen that steps 1570 through 1592 causes the rooftop box'sfans to cool the box when its internal temperature is too high andcauses its heater to heat the box when its temperature is too low. Suchtemperature control helps the LCD displays of the rooftop box to operatebetter, and it also helps the electronics of the box to operate morereliably.

Steps 1594 for through 1608 of FIG. 78 relate to programming forresponding to operation of the panic button 1522 illustrated in FIG. 76.

If the computer receives an input indicating that the panic button 1522has been pushed, step 1594 causes either the steps under step 1596 orstep 1603 to be performed.

If the programming of the rooftop box is not currently in an emergencystate when the button is pressed, step 1596 causes steps 1598 through1602 to be performed.

Step 1598 turns on the emergency state, which suspends the display ofnormal messages on the rooftop box's three displays.

Then step 1600 repeatedly shows one or more predefined emergencymessages on all displays. Such emergency messages, for example, mightflash information stating that the vehicle is having an emergency andthat bypassers should dial 911 and inform the police of the emergencyand of the location of the vehicle.

Step 1602 repeatedly sends a pre-defined emergency message over therooftop box's wireless transmitter informing the central system of theemergency state and the vehicle's current location. In some embodimentsof the invention step 1602 also sends emergency messages directly to thepolice or a security service.

If the vehicle is already in an emergency state when the panic button1552 is pressed, step 1603 will cause steps 1604 through 1608 to beperformed.

Step 1604 displays a message on all of the vehicle's displays statingthat the emergency is over. After a such messages have been displayedfor a given time, step 1606 turns the emergency state off causing thesystem to resume the normal display of messages upon its screens. Step1608 sends a message to the central system informing it that theemergency is over.

In summary, the panic button 1522 of FIG. 76 toggles the rooftop boxbetween two states, a normal state and an emergency state. In someembodiments of the invention the driver is provided with an discreteindicator to enable a driver to know with confidence which of these twostates the rooftop box is in. It is also preferred that the panic buttonbe placed in a location that would prevent passengers of the taxi cab inwhich it is used from being able to know when the drivers operating thatbutton. This is because one of the major functions of the panic switchis to help taxi cab drivers call for help when they are being threatenedby criminals, and in such situations it is normally desirous to enablethe driver to make a call for help without letting the criminals who areassailing him know it.

In other embodiments of the invention other types of emergency switchescan be provided. For example in some embodiments one or more panicbuttons would enable a user to separately controlled the generation ofemergency messages on its displays and the sending of such emergencymessages over its wireless system. In some embodiments the user isprovided with controls which allow him or her to indicate the particulartime of emergency being experienced, such as whether is a vehiclebreakdown, an accident, a medical emergency, or a crime.

Step 1610 through 1626 of FIG. 78 illustrates programming in the rooftopbox's computer to enable the central system to better keep track of theoperation of the box.

If a rooftop box's computer receives a request from the central systemover its wireless communication link requesting a particular type ofstatus report, step 1610 cause steps 1612 and 1614 to be performed. Step1612 generates the requested report from the current values ofparameters to be contained in the requested type of report, and step1614 sends the requested report to the central system over the rooftopbox's wireless links.

FIGS. 80 through 82 represent examples of some types of status reportswhich can be generated by a rooftop unit in response requests from thecentral system.

FIG. 80 illustrates a standard status report 1642 which containsreal-time data on multiple aspects of the operation of a given rooftopbox. In the embodiment of FIG. 80 the standards status report includes aheader 1644 containing, among other things, information identifying thatthe current communication is a standard status report. The standardstatus report includes a mobile unit ID 1646, which identifies fromwhich mobile unit the status report is being generated. The standardsstatus report can further includes the vehicle's geographic coordinates.

In embodiments, such as those described above with regard to FIG. 64, inwhich a mobile unit's location can be determined by the wireless networkwhich receives communications from it, status reports from mobile unitsneed not contain a mobile unit coordinates.

The standard status report also include vehicle speed 1650; the size1652 of one or more of its mass storage devices, such as it's hard disk;the amount of free space 1654 in that mass storage device; the size 1656of the random access memory in the mobile unit's computer; the amount1658 of that RAM which is free; and the degree of CPU usage 1660 withinthe mobile unit's computer. This CPU usage figure can be represented byone or more numbers representing moving averages of the degree of usageof this CPU over one or more recent periods of time, such as the lastten seconds, the last-minute, or the last five minutes.

The standard status report also includes the degree of network traffic1662 on the mobile unit's wireless system; the IDs 1664 of the currentlydisplayed messages; the output 1666 of each of the mobile unit's lightsensors; the amount of power 1668 supplied to illuminate each display;the temperature 1670 sensed by the rooftop box's heat sensor; the power1672 supplied to the rooftop box's heater; the status 1674 of thevehicle's ignition; the strength 1676 of the signal received by thewireless system 152A (shown in FIG. 75) as detected by a signal strengthdetector 1469 contained within that wireless system; and the IP address1678 of the network interface 1468, shown in FIG. 75.

FIG. 81 represents a message cache status report 1680, which is anothertype of status report the central system can request from the mobileunit. The message cache status report includes, in addition to a header1682 identifying the type of report and the mobile unit ID number 1684,a list 1686 of all the Ids of all the display messages which arecurrently stored, or cached, in the mobile unit's mass storage device.This corresponds to the IDs of all the display messages 168A through168N shown on the hard disk 158B in FIG. 75. Such cache status reportsare valuable because they enable the central system to know which mobileunits currently contain the data necessary to display which givenmessages.

FIG. 82 illustrates a video memory status report 1688 which the centralsystem can ask a mobile unit to generate and send it. In addition to aheader 1690 and mobile unit ID 1692, this status report contains acompressed image of the data contained within the video memory of thevideo controller 1040C in the rooftop box's computer. This enables thecentral system to see data corresponding to the actual image currentlybeing displayed by each of the rooftop box's displays.

Returning now to FIG. 78, the programming in a rooftop box not onlyenables it to generate status reports in response to requests from thecentral system, but also to initiate the transmission of statusinformation upon the occurrence of certain events.

For example, as is indicated at numerals 1616 and 1618, if the rooftopbox's computer detects that power to its backlights has been cut, as isdescribed above with regard to numerals 1536 or 1540 of FIG. 77, step1618 sends a message to the central system informing it of this changeand of the time at which it took place.

As indicated at numerals 1620 and 1622, if the mobile unit's computerdetects that power to the backlights is been returned after a previousoutage, it causes a message to be generated and sent to the centralsystem informing it of this change and of its time.

As indicated at numerals 1624 and 1626, if the rooftop box's computerdetects that it's hard disk or other mass storage device is full to acertain predetermined extent, that computer will automatically generatea message to the central system informing it of this change and itstime. This enables the central system to generate instructions to themobile unit informing it of which of its stored display messages itshould delete.

In other embodiments of the invention, other information can be obtainedfrom the rooftop box computers in the form of requested status messagesand spontaneously generated reports.

FIG. 79 briefly illustrates some of the status monitoring programming1628 contained in computers of the central system. This statusmonitoring programming includes remote accessing programming 1632, whichenables the central system to gain remote access to functions of arooftop box's computer's operating system (OS) 168, shown in FIG. 75.

The rooftop box computers 140A contain wireless remote accessprogramming 160B which enables those computers to turn over control ofits operating system to the central system in response to messagesreceived from the central system over the wireless communication linkafter appropriate verifications been made that the attempt to gain suchremote access is from a trusted party.

Once the central system has gain such remote access, it is free to runvarious programs loaded in the rooftop box's mass storage device,including various diagnostic programs.

The central systems status monitoring program also includes statusrequest programming 1634 which enables the central system to requestsstatus reports, such as those described above with regard to steps 1610through 1614 of FIG. 78.

The central system also includes status recording, analyzing, andreporting programming, 1636, 1638 and 1640, respectively. Thisprogramming enables the central system to record status informationabout all or part of its mobile units over time, and to perform analysisof that information and the output that results from such analysis, soit can be used to help the central system better utilize, maintain, andredesign the message display system.

It should be understood that the foregoing description and drawings aregiven merely to explain and illustrate, and that the invention is notlimited thereto.

In particular, it should be noted that this application explains thepresent invention in more detail than is common in many patentapplications. The inventors hope they will not be punished for providingthe public with such a detailed teaching by having the scope of theirclaims limited to the detail of the particular embodiments shown.Punishing a more detailed teaching of an invention with a more limitedinterpretation of the claims would be contrary to one of the primarypurposes of the patent system, which is to reward inventors for teachingtheir inventions to the public. In this application, it is intended thateach claim be interpreted just as broadly as if this specification hadincluded a separate block-level diagram having blocks and functionalconnections corresponding to each of the claim's recited elements andrecited relationships between elements. Since such block diagrams wouldadd no information to the application, and since their number wouldgreatly impede any reading of this application, an effort has been madeto make this application more readable by excluding such diagrams.

Considerable thought has been put into the wording of the followingclaims so that they will provide an accurate description of the scope ofwhat the inventor considers to be his invention, and it is hoped thatthe meaning of the claims will be interpreted from their own wordingrather than from the particulars of the one or more embodiments of theinvention described in the specification. For example, where a dependentclaim includes limitations not contained in a parent claim, the parentclaim is meant to be read as not including that limitation, unlesscommon sense would require a contrary interpretation among those skilledin the relevant technical art.

It should be understood that the behaviors described in the pseudo-codeof the drawings, like virtually all program behaviors, can be performedby many different programming and data structures, using substantiallydifferent organization and sequencing. This is because programming is anextremely flexible art in which a given idea of any complexity, onceunderstood by those skilled in the art, can be manifested in a virtuallyunlimited number of ways. Thus, the claims are not meant to be limitedto the exact steps and/or sequence of steps described in the pseudo-codeof the drawings. This is particularly true since the pseudo-codedescribed in the text above has been highly simplified to let it moreefficiently communicate that which one skilled in the art needs to knowto implement the invention without burdening him or her with unnecessarydetails. In the interest of such simplification the structure of thepseudo-code described above often differs significantly from thestructure of the actual code that a skilled programmer would use whenimplementing the invention. Furthermore, many of the programmedbehaviors, which are shown being performed in software in thespecification, could be performed in hardware in other embodiments. Forexample, those skilled in the programming arts will understand thatwhere program is shown responding to inputs through a control loop or adeamon, in other embodiments of the invention a message, event based, orinterrupt based architecture could be used.

In the embodiments of the invention discussed above, many of the variousaspects of the invention are shown occurring together in a system. Itshould be understood that in other embodiments of the inventiondifferent subsets of one or more individual features of the inventionwould occur in a given system.

It should be understood that with regard to many aspects of theinvention disclosed in the specification, functions which are describedabove as performed by the system's fixed or mobile units could in otherembodiments of many aspects of the invention be performed by the centralsystem, and functions described as performed by the central system couldin embodiments of many aspects of the invention be performed by thesystem's fixed or mobile units. Also, it should be understood that allthe capabilities and functionality, which are described above for mobileunits are applicable to fixed units, unless they are inherentlyinapplicable to, fixed units.

It should be understood that the controller of the mobile unit and theprocessor of the central system might each actually contain more thanone processor in some embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, itshould be understood that in some embodiments of the invention thecentral system might be distributed, and, thus, be made of a pluralityof separate computing systems, each with communication capability,whether there is a wireless transmitter and receiver separatelyassociated with each such distributed computing system, or whether theyare part of a unified communication system. Preferably in suchdistributed system all of the separate computer systems will benetworked together so that the multiple computer systems can operate asa unit. In some embodiments of the invention, the central system mightactually be composed of distributed functionality executed on thecomputational network formed by the system's plurality of display units.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1, 7, 20, 21, and 22the positioning system used in the mobile unit is a GPS system. In otherembodiments of the invention, any other currently, or hereafter, knownlocation determining system could be used. As is discussed above withregard to FIG. 64, in some embodiments of the invention the mobile unitneed not have a position determining system at all, and the wirelesssystem used by the central system will locate the mobile unit based oninformation determined from the receipt of that message by variousreceivers within that wireless system.

In some of the embodiment of the invention described above the locatorsignals are transmitted by the same wireless system that is used toreceive display-selection messages from the central system. It should beunderstood that in other embodiments of the invention the locatorsignals could be transmitted by a separate radio transmitter. Forexample, in some such embodiments the wireless system used for most datacommunication between the mobile units and the central system could be acellular system, whereas the locator signals can be transmitted byseparate radio transmitters, which is not part of the cellular system.In some such embodiments, the locator signals transmitted can containlittle more information than an identification of the mobile unititself. In such case, the central system will include additionalwireless receivers designed to receive and determine the location of thetransmission of such locator signals.

In FIGS. 1, 7, 20, 21, and 22 the GPS electronics 146 are shown as beingconnected to their respective display unit's controller. In otherembodiments, the GPS (or other position detecting) electronics couldhave their output connected directly to electronics for transmitting theposition values they determine to the central system, without havingsuch position value pass to or through the display unit's controller.

In some embodiments of the invention UHF transmitter illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 19 might be driven in such a manner as to generate both datastreams of the type described above with regard FIG. 8 as well as audioor visual signals which are designed to be received by a standard UHFtelevision receiver. This would enable the UHF receiver to be used togenerate messages which could be used to explain and promote the displaysystem of the invention, provide programming content, and providepossible control information to the system's displays. To decrease theamount of potential bandwidth, such standard UHF messages which areintended to be received by standard UHF television receivers will divertfrom use for data streams of the type illustrated in FIG. 8, suchstandard UHF content could be transmitted only intermittently, or foronly portions of video frames or fields.

The following paragraphs lists some additional aspects of the inventionthat can be incorporated into embodiments of the invention describedabove.

According to one aspect of the invention, a computer readable datastructure recorded in machine readable memory is provided. The datastructure comprises information relating to the number of peopleavailable to see a publicly displayed message in each of a plurality ofphysical locations at each of a plurality of times, including varioustimes of day.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the plurality oflocations include a plurality of outdoor locations. In some embodimentsthe information includes information relating to the numbers ofdifferent types of people available to see such messages at differentlocations and times. Such different types can include virtually anyclassification of types of people which are useful to those seeking totarget messages to desired audiences, including sex, age, income, racialor ethnic background, employment type, sexual preference, location ofresidence, life style, religion, number of children, dress, priorpurchasing information, behavioral information, and any otherdemographic or psycho graphic information which is considered useful inmarketing.

In some embodiments the data structure's information includesinformation derived from data about the number of different types ofpeople who live in areas associated with the individual physicallocations. In some such embodiments, information relating to the numberof people available to see a public display at a given location can be afunction the population and/or demographics of the given location. Inother such embodiments such information can be a function of thepopulation or demographics of areas related to the given location, suchas nearby locations or locations from which people travel through thegiven locations, such as be road or by train.

In some embodiments the information about the number of people availableincludes information derived from estimates of the foot traffic nearsaid individual physical locations at various times of day. In someembodiments the information regarding available audience includesinformation derived from estimates of the automotive vehicle trafficnear said individual physical locations at various times of day.

In some embodiments of this aspect the audience information is updatedin response to electronic sensors in a plurality of physical locations.

In some such embodiments the electronic sensors include cameras and theaudience information is updated in response to machine visualrecognition of images captured by such cameras. It should be understoodthat the machine recognition need not be totally accurate or even closeto totally accurate to help the system more accurately target thedisplay of messages. Such visual recognition can be used to estimate thenumber of people in images from different locations at different times.Such visual recognition can also be used to estimate the number ofdifferent types of people in images from different locations atdifferent times. For example, visual recognition could be used toestimate the race of potential people in the audience by measuring theirskin color or facial features. It could estimate their age by their sizeand/or facial features. It could estimate their sex by their size andtheir dress. It could guess other information about people by theirdress. In some embodiments the vision recognition is used to estimatesthe behavior of people in images from different locations at differenttimes. This could include information about their proximity and angularposition relative to the display, the likelihood of their attentiontoward the display, and the speed of motion relative to the display.

In some embodiments other types of machine perception could be used toobtain audience information. For example, audio information could beused to help determine the age and sex of potential viewers. Audioinformation could also be used to identify the voice of individualspeakers and/or whether or not the potential audience members arespeaking about the display itself, or whether or not their wordsindicate they might belong to a given demographic or marketing group.

According to another aspect of the invention, a computerized methodprovides values for demographic attributes as a function of physicallocation and time. This method involves receiving input data comprisingvalues of one or more demographic attributes at each of one or moregiven discrete locations in physical space and time, in which the inputsinclude variations in values over a period at least as short as a week.The method smoothes these values over location and/or time so as toproduce a set of values for each of the input attributes which vary at ahigher spatial and/or temporal resolution than the input data. Themethod responds to queries for a given one of the attributes' values ata given location and time by producing such smoothed values for theattribute.

The input data can include attribute value associated with pointlocations and/or geographic zones. Where values for point locations arereceived, the method smoothes values between points. Where values forzones are received, the method smoothes values across zones, such as forexample associating the value for a zone with its center point and thensmoothing values between such center points.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the smoothed valuescould be generated dynamically at the time of a query. In otherembodiments, the smoothed data could be stored in the database. In someembodiments the smoothed data itself could involve discrete valuesassociated with different zones, but at a higher resolution than theresolution of the input data. In other embodiments, particularly thosein which the data is calculated on the fly in response to queries, theresolution of the smoothed data can be as fine as the resolution of theinformation as to the location for which the attribute value is beingrequested.

According to another aspect of the invention, a computerized method ofprovides values for multiple different demographic attributes as afunction of physical location and time. The method receives input datacomprised of values of each of a plurality of demographic attributes asa function of physical location and/or time. The method performsstatistical inference from the input data to calculate inferred valuesof demographic attributes for physical locations and/or time for whichsuch attribute values are not explicitly included in said input data.The method responds to queries for a value of an attribute, which is notincluding in said input data by producing one of said inferred values.

For example, if the input data includes an estimate of the number ofHispanic available to see a message at a given location and time, butdoes not have an estimate of the number of such Hispanics areprofessions, it can statistically infer than number by multiplying thenumber of Hispanics at the given location by percentage of Hispanics ingeneral who are professionals. Although such inference is not alwaysaccurate, it often provides a reasonable estimate.

For another example, if the input data includes the percent of the foottraffic at a given location that is comprised of professional people,but no specific information about how amount of professional foottraffic varies over time, and if the input information includes generaldata about how the amount of foot traffic in general varies over time,then the system can multiply the figure of specific professional foottraffic at the given location by the general variations in foot trafficas a function of time to derive an estimate of the amount ofprofessional foot traffic at different times at the given location.

According to another aspect of the invention, a computerized methodindividually selects which messages to show on each of a plurality ofpublicly visible, networked, electronic displays. The method storesdemographic information relating to the number of different types ofpeople available to see a publicly displayed message in each of aplurality of physical locations at each of a plurality of times,including various times of day. The method stores for each of aplurality of messages targeting information about the one or moredesired demographic audiences for said message. The method obtains fromthe demographic information for each of a plurality of displayavailabilities, each associated with publicly display at a givenlocation and time. The information obtained for each displayavailability includes estimated audience information, including anestimate of the numbers of different types of people available to see amessage shown at said display availability. The method calculates ascore as a function of the match between the targeting informationassociated with each of said plurality of messages and the audienceinformation associated with a display availability. The method furtherincludes selecting which of said messages to show in a given displayavailability as a function of the relative values of said scorescalculated for said different messages.

In some embodiments of this aspect of invention the criteria only varywith regard to location, and not time. In others, the criteria vary bothas a function of location and time. In some embodiments of this aspectof the invention, the displays are publicly visible displays. In someembodiments at least some of the displays are mobile, causing them to belocated at different locations at different points and time. In someembodiments the individual displays have associated with them sensorsthat are used to help update the demographic database used by themethod.

According to another aspect of the invention, a computerized methodindividually selects which messages to show on each of a plurality ofnetworked electronic displays. The method stores for each of a pluralityof messages one or more criteria desired for showings of said message.The method further stores in machine readable memory informationrelating to the number of people available to see a publicly displayedmessage in each of a plurality of physical locations at each of aplurality of times, including various times of day. The method obtainsinformation regarding the values for said criteria associated with agiven display availability (i.e., the opportunity to display a messageon a given one of said displays at a given time). The method calculatesa score as a function of the match between the criteria associated witheach of said plurality of messages and the values for such criteriaassociated with said given display availability. And the method selectswhich of said messages to show in a given display availability as afunction of the relative values of said scores calculated for saidmessages.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the individualdisplays have different geographic locations; and the obtaining ofinformation regarding the values for said criteria associated with agiven display availability includes obtaining values for one or more ofsaid criteria as a function of geographic location of the individualdisplay associated with the display availability. In some suchembodiments such information will be obtained from a database havingvalues for each of a plurality of locations. In other such embodimentsin which such decisions are made separately for individual ones of saiddisplays, which are at one fixed location, a portion of said databaseassociated with the given location of an individual display will beaccessed to obtain information relating to that display.

According to another aspect of the invention, a computerized method ofdisplaying individual messages on individual electronic displays in anetwork of such displays comprises the following:

-   -   Providing an estimate of a number of people available to watch a        showing of a message on a given individual display; and        charging a party for the showing of a given message on the given        display as a function of said number of people.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the number ofpeople used to calculate the charge is a number of one or moreparticular types (i.e. demographic groupings) of people.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the estimate of thenumber of one or more particular types of people available to watch ashowing of a message includes making such estimate for a display at on agiven display at a given time. Such embodiments store for each of aplurality of messages an indication of the amount a party has agreed topay for having the message shown to a number of one or more particulartypes of people. Such embodiments select which of said messages to showon a given display at a given location and time as a function of therelative amount of money which can be charged for showing each suchmessage at the given location and time, given the estimate of the numberof said one or more particular types of people estimate for the giventime and location and the indication of the amounts which have beenagreed to be paid for the showing of each message to a number of one ormore particular types of people.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the estimate of thenumber of people is based on the physical location of the given display.In some such embodiments the estimate of the number of people is alsobased on the time of day in which the message is shown.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the electronicdisplays are publicly visible.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the estimate ofsaid number of people is based on computerized perception. In some suchembodiments the estimate of said number of people is a function ofcomputerized visual perception of one or more images taken by cameraslocated near the given individual display. In some embodiments of theestimate of said number of people is a function of computerized voiceperception of sound obtained by microphones located near the givenindividual display. In some embodiments the estimate of said number ofpeople is provided for the showing of a message at a given time and saidestimate is a function of computerized perception of data gathered nearthe given individual display within an hour of said given time. In someembodiments of the estimate of said number of people is provided for theshowing of a message at a given time and said estimate is a function ofcomputerized perception of data gathered at one or more times more thanan hour before said given time.

Except when the language of a claim implies otherwise, reference to adisplay is meant to refer to either a fixed or a mobile display. Fixeddisplays are meant to include large billboard sized displays as well assmaller displays, including without limitation those which might beplaced on the sides of buildings, inside buildings, or on the sides ofphone booths.

As used in this specification the word demographic means information asto overall population, and information as to numbers of different typesof people, including virtually any classification of types of peoplewhich are useful to those seeking to target messages to desiredaudiences, including sex, age, income, racial or ethnic background,employment type, location of residence, life style, sexual preference,religion, number of children, dress, prior purchasing information,behavioral information, current activity, current location, or any otherdemographic or psycho graphic information which is considered useful inmarketing products, services, political candidates or view, and theideas.

According to one aspect of the invention, a computerized methodindividually selects which messages to show on each of a plurality ofnetworked electronic displays. The method includes calculating, for eachof a plurality of messages, which are to be shown on displays of thenetwork, a desired display rate as a function of a desired number ofexposures of such messages to be made within a remaining period of time.The method selects which of possible messages to show on an individualdisplay as a function of the relative values of the desired displayrates associated with different messages, so as to favor the selectionof messages having a higher desired display rate. The method then usesinformation that a given message has been selected to be shown on agiven display to update the calculation of the desired display rate forgiven message by decreasing the number of showings of the given messagewhich are to be made a remaining period of time associated with themessage.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the number ofexposures used in calculating the desired display rate is a function ofa number of people estimated to have seen showings of a given message,so that in calculating the desired display rate not only the number ofprior showings of a message is relevant, but also an estimate of anumber of people who have seen each such showing is used. In some suchembodiments the number of people used to calculate said number ofexposures is a number of one or more particular type of people, such asa number of people belonging to one or more demographic groups.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the electronicdisplays are publicly visible displays. In some such embodimentselectronic displays have a fixed location, in sound they are mobile, andin others that a mixture of text and mobile displays.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the selection ofwhich messages to show on individual display is made locally bycomputational equipment associated with individual displays, butinformation as to what messages have been shown on individual displaysare communicated to other displays, either directly, or through acentral system, so as to enable a information about the desired displayrate for different messages used by such local computational equipmentto be updated to reflect the showings of individual messages which havebeen made by other displays.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the selecting allof which messages to show on an individual display is performed not onlyas a function of the relative values of the desired display rateassociated with different messages, but also as a function of the matchbetween values for one or more criteria which vary between individualdisplays as a function of location and/or time and desired values ofthose one or more criteria associated with individual messages. In somesuch embodiments the one or more criteria include one or moredemographic criteria concerning an estimate of the number of people of agiven demographic category available to view a given showing of amessage at a given display.

According to another aspect of the invention, a computerized method ofindividually selecting which messages to show on each of a plurality ofnetworked electronic displays is provided which includes storing foreach of a plurality of messages one or more criteria desired forshowings of said message. The method obtains information regarding thevalues for said criteria associated with a given display availability(i.e., the opportunity to display a message on a given one of saiddisplays at a given time). The method further calculates a score as afunction of the match between the criteria associated with each of saidplurality of messages and the values for such criteria associated withsaid given display availability. The method then selects which of saidmessages to show in a given display availability as a function of therelative values of said scores calculated for said messages.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the displays havedifferent geographic locations; and the obtaining of informationregarding the values for said criteria associated with a given displayavailability includes obtaining values for one or more of said criteriaas a function of geographic location of the individual displayassociated with the display availability.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the displays arepublicly visible displays. In some embodiments the one or more criteriainclude one or more demographic criteria concerning an estimate of thenumber of people of a given demographic category available to view agiven showing of a message at a given display.

According to another aspect of the invention, a computerized method ofindividually selecting which messages to show on each of a plurality ofnetworked electronic displays includes providing, for each of aplurality of messages which are to be shown on displays of the network,an indication of a desired number of remaining exposures. The methodselects which of possible messages to show on an individual display as afunction of the desired number of remaining exposures associated withdifferent messages. The method then uses information that a givenmessage has been selected to be shown on a given display to update thedesired number of remaining exposures for the given message.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the selection ofwhich message to show on each of a plurality of said individual displayis made by a local computer associated with each such individualdisplay; and the updating of the desired number of remaining exposuresfor a given message includes communicating information that a givenmessage has been selected to be shown on a given display by the givendisplays associated local computer to local computers associated withother displays so that those other displays can use the updated desirednumber of remaining exposures into account when make their selection asto what messages to display on their associated display.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the desired numberof remaining exposures for each message is a function of a number ofpeople estimated to have already seen individual showing of the message.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention, of the number ofpeople used to calculate said number of exposures is a number of one ormore particular types of people.

Except when the language of a claim implies otherwise, reference to adisplay is meant to refer to either a fixed or a mobile display. Fixeddisplays are meant to include large billboard sized displays as well assmaller displays, including without limitation those which might beplaced on the sides of buildings, inside buildings, or on the sides ofphone booths.

1. A system for publicly displaying messages comprising: an automotivevehicle and; the following elements carried by the vehicle: a publiclyvisible display formed by ganging together a plurality of individualdigital displays, each having at least a resolution of 640×480 pixels;and mobile controller unit for generating signals to cause images to beshown on said ganged display, using vector-based animationrepresentation with different portions of individual images being shownon each of the individual digital displays.
 2. A system as in claim 1wherein said individual digital displays are high-bright LCD displayshaving over 1000 nits illumination.
 3. A mobile display system forpublicly showing messages comprising: an automotive vehicle; and thefollowing elements carried by the vehicle: a publicly visible electronicdisplay capable of displaying animated images; a computer having: amobile controller unit for generating signals to cause animated imagesto be shown on said display, a memory device capable of storingrepresentations of animated display images represented in vector-basedform; and programming for enabling said computer to generate animatedimages from said vector-based animation representations.
 4. A mobiledisplay system as in claim 3 further including a radio connected to saidcomputer for conveying digital information to the computer about whichmessages the computer should cause to be shown on said display,including information including said vector-based animationrepresentations of such messages.
 5. A system for publicly displayingmessages comprising: an automotive vehicle and; the following elementscarried by the vehicle: a publicly visible digital display usingvector-based animation representation stored in the memory andilluminated by a backlight; a sensor for sensing the brightness of lightin the vicinity of the digital display; and illumination varyingcircuitry for varying the brightness of said backlight in response tobrightness detected by the sensor.
 6. A system as in claim 5 whereinsaid electronic display is a high-bright LCD display having over 1000nits illumination.
 7. A system for publicly displaying messagescomprising: an automotive vehicle and; the following elements carried bythe vehicle: a publicly visible transreflective digital display liteither by reflected light or by backlighting wherein vector-basedanimation representation stored in the memory is used; a sensor forsensing the brightness of light in the vicinity of the transreflectivedigital display; and illumination varying circuitry for varying thebrightness of said backlight in response to brightness detected by thesensor.